Education Vouchers
CCS solution to the problems in Education System

July 26, 2005: India Habitat Centre,New Delhi

Universal access and the quality of education are two of the most fundamental problems plaguing our education system. Over the years, different approaches have been tried to address these problems but none has worked well.

In this context, Ritinjali, an NGO working in the area of education, organised a talk on Education Vouchers on 26 July 2005 at the India Habitat Centre, New Delhi. Dr. Parth J Shah, President of the Centre for Civil Society was the key speaker who spoke on how education vouchers could help the ailing education system in the country.

The idea of Education Voucher is to empower the poor students so that they can attend a school of their choice. Their choice in turn creates competition among schools to attract and retain students. The choice and competition working together provide universal access and higher quality of education to all.
The talk saw active participation from a wide cross section of people ranging from Mr. Suresh P. Prabhu MP, Dr M. C. Mathur (Additional Director of Education), Ms. S. Khullar (Chairperson, NDMC), Mr. P V. Indiresan (Former Director, IIT-Chennai), Ms. Lata Vaidyanathan (Principal, Modern School-Barakhamba Road), along with a large number of other like-minded people. Representatives of several institutions viz., World Wildlife Fund, Anand Foundation, Khoj Konsultants, Macarthur Foundation etc., were also present at the talk.

Centre for Civil Society is a non-profit research and educational think-tank in New Delhi for sound public policy solutions in education, environment, livelihood, governance, globalisation and rule of law.
“This is one idea that can definitely rejuvenate government schools” said Mr. Arun Kapur, Chairman, Ritinjali as well as the Principal of Vasant Valley School.