As a matter of fact, the private sector is contributing significantly to the development of human resources all over the world and the emphasis is on raising a force of highly skilled workers who can meet the challenges that the technology driven world of progress poses.

It is not possible for the government alone to run the basic education programmes successfully due to the limited wherewithal at its disposal. The inadequate infrastructures at the primary and the secondary level are obstructing the process of achieving the goals set by the planners.

The government should do the job of a catalyst and support the private sector education ventures through tax exemption and all such measures-- a point raised by a speaker at the round table on the role of private sector in basic education . The finance minister has said that the government would welcome private initiatives in basic education. However, community participation, especially at the management level, holds the key to a breakthrough in this sector. This can be done through a process of decentralisation and strengthening of local bodies. It is a sad truth that whatever little community participation we have seen so far has been blighted by politics. It is a snag that must be avoided.

For obvious reasons, the emphasis is on development of an institutional framework for the private sector to step in. This is one area where the government will have to create the ideal conditions for the private initiatives by helping the setting of a foundation especially for basic education. Such a foundation, jointly managed by government and private sector representatives, could be given a tax exempt status to encourage philanthropy. Such a foundation could also ensure private sector participation in school management, training of teachers, production of educational toys and relevant teaching materials, etc.

The ultimate responsibility of imparting basic education rests with the government. But private sector initiatives can lessen its burden.