Is setting up more private schools a good option?

BENGALURU: As applications to start new schools flood the department of public instruction (DPI), educationists and experts are in a fix. Is encouraging privatization of education the way forward, they ask.
While some argue that this will only give more schools the licence to make money , others feel the need to improve government schools. Nagasimha G Rao, convenor of RTE Task Force, feels the nod for new schools and lack of curbs on illegal schools will have a negative impact on government schools.“Enrolment in government schools is already declining with more poor citizens preferring private schools through the RTE route,“ he said.
Rao added that with primary and secondary education minister Kimmane Ratnakar stating that the government may remove the RTE quota from private schools and utilize the money to develop government schools, the permission to start new schools is not justified. The only advantage of having more private schools is that parents have more options, he said. if they don't get seat in one school, they can opt for another school.
Niranjanaradhya VP , fellow and programme head, Universalisation of Equitable Quality Education Programme, Centre for Child and the Law, National Law School of India University , said by allowing more private schools, the government is giving the nod to private players to make money . “This will spoil public education and exploit parents,“ he said.
Infosys founder NR Narayana Murthy , in a recent interview with TOI, had said the RTE route in private schools isn't helping provide equitable and quality education. “The solution is to improve government schools,“ he said. BN Yogananda, general secretary of RTE Students and Parents Association, said DPI should stop permissions for new schools. “Already there are many and most lack various facilities,“ he said, adding, “DPI has turned education into a business. Instead of inviting applications for new schools, it must improve government schools, where students of different grades study in one classroom.“