Education for Prosperity – President Obama's American Graduation Initiative
As part of his effort to build a stronger foundation that will allow USA to lead in the global economy, the President announced a historic initiative to strengthen the nation's community colleges, and called for five million additional graduates by 2020.
The President said,
Time and again, when we placed our bet for the future on education, we have prospered as a result - by tapping the incredible innovative and generative potential of a skilled American workforce. That's what happened when President Lincoln signed into law legislation creating the land grant colleges, which not only transformed higher education, but also our entire economy. That's what took place when President Roosevelt signed the GI Bill which helped educate a generation, and ushered in an era of unprecedented prosperity. That was the foundation for the American middle class.
He added,
We pay for this plan - this isn't adding to the deficit; we're paying for this plan - by ending the wasteful subsidies we currently provide to banks and private lenders for student loans. That will save tens of billions of dollars over the next 10 years. Instead of lining the pockets of special interests, it's time this money went towards the interests of higher education in America.
In India, Article 45 of our Constitution loftily declares – “The State shall endeavour to provide, within a period of ten years from the commencement of this Constitution, for free and compulsory education for all children until they complete the age of fourteen years.”
It is sixty years and still we are nowhere near the goal!
Our politicians should understand that the best investment the Nation can make is in education and health of the citizens, but perhaps they do and that is why they do not want to lose their vote banks!