Ratan Luth, Chairman, Fravashi Schools, Nashik shares his eduleader bytes.

Where would you place education on your national list of priorities?
Education should be the nation’s top priority as implementation of every policy is dependent on it. 

How best to upgrade government schools?
It’s difficult but not impossible. The day every politician and bureaucrat’s child starts studying in government schools, they will automatically improve. 

Thinker/philosopher you admire the most. 
The late Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, Ratan Tata and Sindhutai Sapkal who have moulded the thought process of the masses through their unique ways and work. 

Your favourite Nobel laureate.
Mother Teresa.

Your leadership style. 
I truly believe a stitch in time, saves nine. Therefore, I value timely action above all else. I am available to my team members round the clock to make timely decisions. I follow a disciplined lifestyle and expect my team members to do likewise.

Your favourite book on education.
No book tells you how to teach. Books can inspire and educate you but it is upto teachers to be self-motivated to teach in the best possible way.

For or against the RTE Act’s 25 percent reservation for underprivileged children in private schools?
I am totally against the RTE Act. Under the Act, schools of repute are loaded with high responsibility as government schools aren’t competent enough to cater to the basic education needs of the people. The day government schools become as good as private schools, every parent will have wider choice to find a good school for her child. Improvement of government schools is the need of the hour.

Should education outlay be doubled by cutting defence expenditure?
Not at all. Defence is an important and integral factor for protection of national sovereignty. Resources for education can be raised by imposing modest tuition fees in government schools. Rs.1 per day is affordable by all, be it a fruit vendor or hawker.

How satisfied are you with the growth and development of the Fravashi Group of schools?
I am very satisfied with the growth and development of my schools. I have built a team which assumes responsibility to protect and maintain the goodwill earned by the Fravashi schools over the past three decades.

Pessimistic or optimistic about the future of education in India?
I strongly believe our enterprising prime minister will bring about a big change in Indian education. I am very optimistic about the future of education in India. 

Also read: Fravashi International Academy, Nashik