Friday 3 November 2017

Strengthen Basics


If not, how are we to march towards ‘World-Class Education’?


Our Prime Minister addressed a gathering at the centenary celebrations of Patna University. Announcement of the plan to create a world-class education in India was made. “He said the government has developed a plan to make 10 private and 10 public universities world-class by granting them autonomy from the constraints of government rules and freedom to grow”, reported a leading newspaper in print and online on 17th October, 2017. The investment was reported to be Rs.10,000 crore. Wonder what? Bihar was the state that had lowest literacy rate by 2011 with 63.8%. What can a five year or six year plan do to the state? Was an effective education policy put forth? Did it have a direct impact?

It reflected in the speech of Mr. Modi. He added that "In every state, the top level of the civil services has people who have studied in Patna University. In Delhi, I interact with so many officials, many of whom belong to Bihar”. Only some super power has to validate the truth behind the growth (if any). How many of us are aware of the education policies that were formulated by the Indian Government?

There had been two National Education Policy formulated by the Government of India; one in the year 1968 and the other in 1986. Presently, the Government had appointed a new nine member committee under K. Kasturirangan, space scientist, to prepare a draft on new education policy in 2017. Further the second policy was modified in the year 1992. Each education policy had unique focus from envisaging the learning of regional languages, conduct of common entrance examination, removal of disparities and equalizing educational opportunities, and various other factors. It is vital to know that the Government of Tamil Nadu had published a website titling Tamil Nadu State Council for Higher Education. 

“Traditionally Tamil Nadu has held a pre-eminent position in the world in a number of fields of basic sciences, mathematics, literature and economic sciences. At the same time, the Government is aware of the recent declining trend in quality of education in arts and sciences in the country. Many of the postgraduate programs in arts and sciences, even in prestigious institutions have failed to attract the brightest students. This has become a matter of great national concern”, extracted from the website mentioned in the above paragraph. Does it not embarrass to comment on the quality of education and charge that the prestigious institutions have failed to attract the brightest students? 

To review on the higher education, the foundation should have been strong. The Literacy rate in India was reported as 74.04% in 2011 and especially that of Tamil Nadu amounts to 80.3%. Personally, I feel that more emphasis was given to the grades and marks than that of the quality gained or offered. Well, of course it decided our fate in pursuing graduation and the caste system, reservations had its own impact too. Making education accessible by all class of people is appreciable. But the quality of primary education should be put to check. Because that helps the student community in competing since world-class education would demand tougher entrance examinations in the years to come. Consideration of government schools? Smart classrooms! And yet caged? 

Open up! With wide range of opportunities coming up, it should be brought to the attention of the students. Because our dream for future begins from school. Exposure to practical knowledge can be spoken at the primary level. But in an encouraging manner than stressing the students for higher results that does less good. Learning should be made fun. It shapes the future.