M A I L B A G

Schools yet to implement curriculum

The National Council of Education Research and Training (NCERT) has prepared curriculum for primary and secondary classes. Subsequently, the CBSE adopted the syllabus prescribed by NCERT for classes up to IX. The NCERT has now released  textbooks for Classes I, III, VI and IX for 2006-07 session. The price of textbooks is very nominal.

However, most schools, particularly run by the trusts and educational societies, are reluctant to implement the new curriculum. Though NCERT books are available in the market at nominal rates, some schools are forcing the parents to buy books from the school.

Books recommended by these schools are mostly published by private publishers which are neither economical nor meet the standard of the National Curriculum Framework, 2005. NCERT books for Class I cost Rs 90 only whereas those sold or recommended by some schools cost around Rs 800!

A.K. DEVGAN, Dhariwal (Gurdaspur)

Meerut tragedy

The Meerut fire accident that claimed many innocent lives due to short-circuiting was heart-rending. It is unfortunate that suitable fire-fighting arrangements were not made in advance. Otherwise, the number of casualties would have been much less.

The inquiry ordered by the Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister should fix accountability on the officials responsible for the incident including the Collector and District Magistrate. The inquiry committee should find out whether any safety precautions were taken by the administration before the start of the trade fair.

Finally, the findings of the committee should not gather dust but implemented to prevent such accidents in future.

G.R. KALRA, Chandigarh

Best of both worlds

On the one hand, the Centre proposes quotas in professional institutions for the OBCs (in addition to the SC/ST categories) and, on the other, it has introduced 15 per cent reservation for NRIs. Under which category of social and economic deprivation do the NRIs come and why should they be allowed to enjoy the best of both worlds at the cost of Indian citizens?

If the government is earning revenue from the NRIs through higher fee, why don’t they give this choice of “higher fee” to Indian citizens as well and treat them at par with the NRIs? It appears that meritorious students are being discriminated against from all sides.

SIMRAN KAUR, Ludhiana

In bad taste

I refer to Shirin Khokhawala’s letter, “Decadence of moral values” (April 4). With government agencies stepping in, the episode has become a major controversy, some people calling it deliberate.

Even if it was accidental, the fact remains that the model continued to walk down the ramp and was watched by the immediate audience around her as also the viewers on television. It is against our culture and our society does not accept the concept of topless women in public. Therefore, the model should have immediately returned to the dressing room rather than continuing her cat walk.

If it was indeed an accident, as explained by the designer and the model herself, we should accept the fact that accident can occur with anyone anywhere and this issue must not be stretched too far. At the same time, fashion designers/ organisers of such shows must evolve a code of conduct.

RASHMI JOTSHI SHAROTRI, Kasauli