He exhorted the officials to bring a parity in excellence among all education boards. This will enable student from across the country to 'compete with rest of the world'.

The minister once again clarified that he has not advocated to bring all school boards under one umbrella. He called for a uniformity of excellence rather than uniformity of education.

Diversity can be embraced while maintaining quality, Sibal said while underlining that the central government is extending a hand of friendship to the states as this is a matter which is to do with children.

'And together we must set out towards ensuring that our children march ahead of us.'

The minister said that state governments must prepare plans on how to monitor neighbourhood schools and teachers attendance. Currently teachers absenteeism is an alarming 19 percent.