Op-Ed

Ever since the Right To Education (RTE) Act has come into being, it seems the government is busy sandpapering the rough edges with some or the other amendment to its provisions in its bid to strike the right balance with all stakeholders. They hope these amendments will finally pacify the unruffled feelings and eventually set the ball rolling for India’s most ambitious step in the educational arena. But, is it the right approach is the big question. If yes, then for how long?

It is no secret that Muslims in India rank among the most backward communities educationally. Many official surveys and documents confirm this fact. There are several causes for the educational backwardness among Muslims. Digging into the past to trace the reasons for the backwardness is of no use today. While there are some historical reasons, others are contemporary fault lines that have contributed to this setback for the largest minority in the country.

It is a pity that after more than five decades of independence, our education system – be it primary, secondary or higher — fails to meet the global standards. The lacunae are many, but one of the sore points is the politicisation of our education system. The growing interference of politics is killing the vitals of the system across the length and breadth of the country.

Suicide by a student of La Martiniere for Boys in Kolkata, Rouvanjit Rawla has once again brought incidences of corporal punishment in schools into sharp focus. Rouvanjit was allegedly caned and humiliated by the principal of the school.

 After six decades of India’s independence, our B-schools follow the United States as a model for business education. This blind aping of the US is, in fact, a bane for our education. This is valid in spite of the fact that our IIMs – Ahmadabad and Calcutta in particular – were assisted by the leading business schools of the United States during their initial days. Our B-schools continue to recommend American books as there is a dearth of good Indian books written by our authors. 

Gone are the days when students used to choose subjects of their interest at random. Now, they select subjects meticulously with future planning on the back of their mind. An average student today prefers job oriented degree courses. Hence, Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA), Economics Honours in engineering courses, B. Tech and last but not the least Bachelor of Journalism and Mass Communication (BJMS) are the hot favourites among most of the students. 

At the beginning of every new academic session, Delhi University (DU) witnesses a mad rush for admission. Students not only from Delhi, but all over the country throng the campus with dreams in their eyes. Outsiders have some additional concerns. Finding an accommodation, coping with the environment in a new city, getting to know their way about, and learning to deal with people in an alien land, their problems are manifold.

The controversy that surfaced ever since its president, Ketan Desai, was arrested on charges of corruption has reached to a logical conclusion on May 25 with the dissolution of the Medical Council of India (MCI). The President Pratibha Patil signed the ordinance issued by the health ministry to dissolve the medical body a day earlier.

 “Our child is studying in Australia and soon will be picking up a job there…” the statement that was once a source of great pride and accomplishment for any Indian parent has now lost its charm. No longer does Australia hold the same attractive sheen for the foreign-crazy Indians. With some obvious and other not so obvious, yet important reasons, the ‘Study in Australia’ craze is fast phasing out. 

Twelfth standard is the stage which may be termed as a turning point in a student's life. It is also a transitory period when various decisive factors shape the future. The most stressful period lies between the last date of the board exams and the result declaration day, followed by the period till one secures a seat in the college of one’s choice for higher studies. Until then, clarity of vision seems to be missing.