Bangalore: Deputy Prime Minister L K Advani on May 4 said educational infrastructure in the country needs to be strengthened at all levels from the lowest to the highest to utilise the full creative potential India's one billion people.

Overall improvement in quality and standard of education is also very much needed. One sees a "tremendous hunger" for quality education even among the poor. All parents want to give good education to their children and are prepared to pay a considerable sum from their earnings for this purpose, he said while inaugurating the Poornaprajna Institute of Scientific Research on May 4.

While literacy in India has notched the highest increase ever in the past decade, of 70 per cent, regional and social disparities still remain which is disquieting, he said.

Despite the progress made since independence, many challenges remain and the two instruments that can help the society most in meeting these are; education and Science and Technology, he pointed out.

The 10th Plan therefore focuses on achievement of total literacy and the Sarva Shikhsa Abhiyan launched by the government is the biggest ever programme for universalisation of elementary education, he said.

Highlighting the importance of scientific research, Advani noted the number of students opting for a career in science is coming down, as it is not very lucrative. This trend needs to be addressed with a sense of urgency, he said, adding efforts must be made to recognise our scientists and project them as role models for the younger generation.

PTI