India, Jan. 10 -- Union Education Minister Dharmedra Pradhan on Friday emphasised the need to restore schools as vibrant institutions rooted in society and said reducing learning gaps and drop-outs and fostering design thinking and critical skills in every child is a collective responsibility. He made these comments at a consultation meeting with stakeholders of the Centre's Samagra Shiksha scheme here.

Elaborating on the role of the community, the Minister said that while the responsibility for systems and salaries must remain with the Government, the ownership and operation of schools must involve society at large.

"The Government must take responsibility for systems and salaries. But the responsibility of running schools should belon...