'There is a global imbalance of jobs and qualified persons', says Sibal

New Delhi, Oct 19 (ANI): Union Human Resource and Development Minister Kapil Sibal on Wednesday said that there exists a global imbalance of jobs vis-?-vis qualified persons and also cited the prevailing scenario in the US that boasts of qualified persons but no jobs, in contrast to the trends experienced in India.

Addressing a conference on 'Department of School Education and Literacy Ministry of Human Resource Development Government of India', Sibal said: "In the United States of America, in particular, there are people who are skilled and qualified, but there are no jobs. In India, there are jobs but there are no people, no skilled and qualified people. So, there is great imbalance, there is a global imbalance."

Emphasising on the key role of education in national development, Sibal stressed that the state governments need to play a pivotal role and ensure that they implement the Right to Education Act.

"We are working towards a change and there will be a change and we all should support the change. There are some good steps that have been taken in this direction; about 20 states have adopted RTE (Right to Education) rules. However, there are other big states that have not implemented the RTE rules and due this we have not been able to give them the allotted funds," he added.

Under RTE, every child between the age group of six to fourteen years has the right to free and compulsory education.

Sibal further said the government would run a special train in the near future that would run across the country and spread awareness about the Right to Education Act.

"Yes, I had a word with the Railway Minister and I have requested him to run a 'Right to Education Express', jus like we ran 'Science Express' in collaboration with the Railway Ministry. I hope that the Railway Ministry and we will soon run a 'Right to Education Express'," he added.

According to the 2011 Census, India recorded a literacy rate of 74.04 percent, with 82.14 percent literacy for males, and over 65.46 percent for women. (ANI)