Need to improve edu system to compete with India, China: Obama

Lalit K Jha
Washington, Oct 9 (PTI) Decrying the Republican plan to
cut education funding by 20 per cent, President Barack Obama
Saturday highlighted the need for quality education in the US
in order to compete with countries like India and China.
Acknowledging that the country is facing tough budgetary
challenges, Obama, nevertheless, said he is not willing to
compromise with the children's education as America has to be
number one and not any other country.
"Nothing would be more detrimental to our prospects for
success than cutting back on education. It would consign
America to second place in our fiercely competitive global
economy. But China and India aren't playing for second. South
Korea and Germany aren't playing for second. They're playing
for first – and so should America," Obama said in his weekly
radio address to the nation.
"Instead of being shortsighted and shortchanging our
kids, we should be doubling down on them. We should be giving
every child in America a chance to make the most of their
lives; to fulfil their God-given potential. We should be
fighting to lead the global economy in this century, just like
we did in the last. And that's what I'll continue fighting to
do in the months and years ahead," Obama said.
From the start of the administration in January 2009, it
has been fighting to offer every child in this country
world-class education – from the cradle to the classroom, from
college through a career, he said.
"Earlier this week, I announced a new Skills for
America's Future initiative that will help community colleges
and employers match what's taught in the classroom with what's
needed in the private sector, so we can connect students
looking for jobs with businesses looking to hire," he said.
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