Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh today said major concerns in the field of education need to be addressed including the standard of teachers and teaching and high drop out rates after elementary level. He added that poor learning outcomes and unequal opportunities in education are also important issues that need to be tackled.

Addressing the golden jubilee celebrations of Kendriya Vidyalaya Sangathan, KVS, in New Delhi, Dr. Singh said, the government has always recognised that India can emerge as a modern, prosperous and progressive country only when the citizens have access to good quality education. He said, India is a young country and can reap the demographic dividend only if we have an educated and skilled workforce that would help our economy to expand and become more productive.

The Prime minister urged Kendriya Vidyalayas to be a role model in setting standards and benchmarks for schools that are situated in the area around them. Dr. Singh said that, ever since UPA government came to power, it has laid special emphasis on increasing investment in the education sector on an unprecedented scale.

Dr.Singh said that ever since the UPA government has come to power in 2004, the investment in education has been increased on an unprecedented scale.
Dr. Singh said, the government is committed to ensure that students from the weaker sections of the society and the less developed regions also get adequate access to educational opportunities. Universal access to primary education is important and the Right to Education Act ensures that every child up to 8th class gets free education. The mid day meal scheme for 11 crore school children every day has also contributed towards retaining student strength.

The Prime minsiter said, the Kendriya Vidyalaya Sanghathan that imparts education to over 11 lakh students and with a commendable girl student ratio of 43 percent has contributed handsomely to nation building.