delhi

Updated: Jun 12, 2017 23:14 IST

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal said that his government will be working on a plan to achieve 100% literacy in the national capital.

Addressing party volunteers as part of Aam Aadmi Party’s (AAP) monthly interaction programme, the AAP national convener said that his government is aspiring to take reforms to the next level in education sector after “turning around decades-long narrative of promoting public schools over the government school education.”

“When people talk of education and literacy, they name states like Kerala for achieving high literacy rates. Now, we need to take Delhi towards 100% literacy. We will make a plan for it,” Kejriwal said, even as he underlined the party’s “vision” of putting in place an education system that provides free quality school education to every Delhi child, besides providing funds to complete higher education.

As per the 2011 census, Delhi ranks fourth among the seven union territories with literacy rate of 86.2%, with male literacy at 90.9% and female literacy at 80.8%.

Labour minister and AAP (Delhi) convener Gopal Rai also advised the party workers to contribute their part in achieving the party’s model of education, which will prove crucial in “nation-building”.

“It will be great if each party worker adopts a school student and dedicates one or two hours every weekend in teaching them, it will help in achieving the vision,” Rai said.

In an effort to strengthen the leadership’s connect with the party volunteers, AAP has decided to hold an informal monthly interaction with volunteers in each of the 70 assembly segments. All party volunteers, alongwith their family members, are expected to gather at a venue organised by the area’s legislator, which, at the end, will be addressed by national convener Arvind Kejriwal.

With the Delhi University admissions just round the corner, Kejriwal also reiterated the party’s stand of fixing a quota for city students in the 28 DU colleges that get financial aid from the Delhi government.

“I would request Manish (Sisodia) to explore reserving 80-85% seats in these colleges for Delhi students,” Kejriwal said, adding that the government was making plans to take education to the next level by promoting ‘value education’ after bringing the Delhi government schools at par with the private schools.

INFORM PEOPLE ABOUT HEALTH SCHEMES

The Chief Minister also urged the party volunteers to inform people about the welfare schemes launched by the AAP government and help the needy in getting treatment in Delhi government hospitals providing free medicines and diagnostic tests.

“During a surprise inspection in two government hospitals, I was surprised to learn that neither doctors nor patients were aware about the schemes of Delhi government to provide free healthcare. While the government is making all efforts to popularise the scheme, volunteers should also inform people and help the needy in getting treatment,” Kejriwal said.