New Delhi: Human Resource Development Minister Kapil Sibal expressed concern over the "poor quality" of teachers, and proposed that teachers needed to be paid more to ensure quality education. Speaking at a conference in New Delhi, he said teaching won't attract talent unless teachers were given proper benefits.

"There is no uniformity in salaries of teachers. No medical benefit, no house rent allowance, incentive or pension," Sibal said.

"Even parents encourage their children to go for jobs that get them liquid capital (money)... Unless we realise it is the most important to invest in building human capital by educating children, we can't do anything," the HRD minister said.

The minister also said there was a need to formulate a system that would help teachers update themselves with latest knowledge in their field. "There is no system in place to ensure life-long learning for teachers," he said.

"Globalisation of education is the reality of our times. We need global commitment to the issue," Sibal added. He also stated that the national mission on teacher's education being launched in the 12th plan had its focus on improving quality of teachers. IANS