Private educational institutions with profit motive worrisome: PM

Taking note of the growing share of private players in education sector for profit, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh today said this trend could emerge as "worrisome barrier" to freer access to knowledge for all.

"Indeed with the growing share of privately funded for-profit educational institutions, this may be emerging as a worrisome barrier to freer access to knowledge for all our people," he said giving away the Infosys Science Foundation awards here.

While the feudal restrictions and pre-democratic institutions were no longer a social barrier to access to knowledge, he said the ancient barrier of economic capacity still prevailed.

The prime minister said that the initiative of the UPA government on Right to Education Act was "really special".

He said it was the responsibility of the government to create wider talent and knowledge base.

"That is why we were very keen that we recognise the Right to Education as a fundamental right", he said.

Emphasising the importance of scholarship, Singh said his government has taken several initiatives for funding in this regard.

Lauding the Infosys Science Foundation for encouraging disciplines like mathematical, physical, engineering and computer sciences, life and social sciences, he said that these are the key areas on which India must make its mark.