Mukhtarul Amin, Chairman, Superhouse Education Foundation, Kanpur, which manages the Allenhouse Group of six schools, two colleges, eight DPS schools and three Allen Kids preschools in Uttar Pradesh

Where would you place education on your national list of priorities?
Education and health at the top. Everything else is secondary.

How best to upgrade government schools?
Three things are the most essential — merit-based teacher recruitment, adequate infrastructure, and continuous monitoring.

Thinker you admire the most.
Henry Ford for introducing mass production of inexpensive goods coupled with high wages for workers.

Your favourite Nobel laureate.
Mother Teresa.

Your leadership style.
My leadership style is to be a team player who leads from the front.

Your favourite book on education.
How Children Fail & How Children Learn by educator John Holt.

For or against the RTE Act’s 25 percent reservation for underprivileged children in private schools?
I totally support quality education for all underprivileged children. India Inc. must also step forward to take up education as a social responsibility.

Should the education outlay be doubled by cutting defence expenditure?
Security of the nation should never be compromised.

How satisfied are you with the growth and development of Allenhouse Group of schools and colleges?
Very pleased. Within a short span of time, Allenhouse public schools and colleges have made a mark. They are maintaining high standards of education and are regarded as benchmark institutions in their areas of operation.

Pessimistic or optimistic about the future of education in India?
Optimistic. With concerted efforts of all stakeholders, we will be able to develop a good education system for our country.

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