Govt must adopt DBT model in education across India: NISA President

Chandigarh, Feb 2: The National President of the National Independent Schools Association (NISA), Kulbhushan Sharma has called for a fundamental shift in India’s education policy while advocating for a Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) model in education across all States and UTs.

He urged the government to give parents and children the freedom to choose schools.

In an exclusive conversation with Greater Kashmir on the sidelines of two-day School Leaders Summit-2026, Kulbhushan Sharma said the government must transfer education funds directly to beneficiaries instead of restricting support only to government schools.

He said when citizens pay taxes, they are entitled to education in return, but not at the cost of their right to choice.

“The government opens schools and asks children to study there, but if children do not want to go to government schools and prefer private schools, does the Constitution not give them the right to choose?” Sharma asked.

National President NISA said the government currently spends nearly Rs 8,000 to Rs 10,000 per child annually in government schools but if any child does not go to a government school, that right should not lapse. “The money being spent on that child should be transferred to the parents. Let them decide where their child studies,” he said.

Sharma pointed out that government employees receive reimbursement if their children study in private schools, while children of private-sector employees are denied the same benefit. “Are their children not citizens? Don’t their parents pay taxes?” he asked. He termed it a “serious gap” in policy that “must be addressed for a progressive India.”

Referring to the Right to Education (RTE) Act, Sharma questioned why free and compulsory education is limited to 25 per cent admissions in private schools in Jammu and Kashmir.

“Why only 25 percent. Education is a right of every child. The Act talks about free and compulsory education, not partial education,” he said. On J&K, Sharma said that despite the abrogation of Article 370 and the extension of central laws, the RTE Act has not been implemented in its true spirit in private schools. “Had the government followed a proper process, private schools could have given free admissions and received reimbursement under the RTE Act. The government would have spent the same amount,” he said. Sharma further said that private educational institutions are often treated as competitors rather than education partners.

“Nearly 50 to 60 percent of children in India are educated in independent schools. If these schools were to withdraw, the government would need over 22 percent of GDP to manage education alone. How would the country then fund infrastructure or defence?” he asked. He castigated the government over “selective regulation and harassment of private schools” stating that when something goes wrong in a government school, the system shields while on the other hand the sword comes down immediately if something happens in a private school. “This double standard must end. Both the sectors are partners in national development,” he said.

On allegations of profiteering through expensive textbooks, particularly in regions like J&K, Sharma said that government should focus on regulation instead of bans.

“You cannot ban writing or publishing books, but you can regulate prices. If book rates are fixed, Rs 7,000–8,000 set can come down to Rs 3,000–3,500. The government regulates alcohol and hotels—why not textbooks,” he asked. He accused the government of doing “experiments with children’s futures” and said after 77 years of independence, repeated policy trials have not delivered the desired outcomes. “When private schools are performing better, why continue experimenting,” he said. Sharma said that the solution lies in giving children freedom of choice and financial support directly. “Government must introduce an education allowance or education pension just like old-age or widow pensions. They should transfer what is rightfully the child’s, into their account. Let parents choose schools. All conflicts—between government and private schools, over books and fees—will end on their own,” he said.

He said the children must be given a chance as they are the future of a developed India. “Government must stop doing experiments and instead support what works on ground,” Sharma said.