Only five percent primary teachers clear eligibility test

New Delhi, April 27 (IANS) Expressing concern over the poor quality of school teachers, Human Resource Development (HRD) Minister Kapil Sibal Friday said only 5.5 percent had cleared the primary school teachers eligibility test in 2012.

Replying to supplementaries in the Rajya Sabha, Sibal also informed the house that only 6.5 percent could qualify the eligibility test for upper primary classes.

"That only shows the poor quality of education being imparted," Sibal said.

The HRD minister said focus was needed to move to quality from access in education. He stressed that the qualifying test was aimed at ensuring quality of education in private schools.

The minister also said that an outlay of Rs.6,308 crore has been allocated in the 12th Plan for establishing various teachers' training institutes.