Our education quagmire

1. Divorce main line political alignment from all area of education at the student, teacher and at all levels starting from primary school up to the highest tier of University education. Not that students who have attained the age to vote should be politically ignorant, but so long as they are students they must keep away from direct political and party involvement ignoring their basic duty of gathering knowledge. We could take up political issues and if possible encourage sound, reasonable political debating which may be a part of relevant curriculum at the appropriate level.

2. We must shun unfair means in all sphere associated with education. The unfortunate trend of unfair means adopted in examinations should be stopped; without fear or favour. Not that it would be totally eliminated; but at least it should be visibly nonexistent. This also applies with respect to selection of teachers and selection of students for admission at higher and technical levels of education. No interference or patronage in this critical function is to be tolerated.

3. Our syllabus should be more practical oriented and practical subjects should be given required focus in allocation of time and resources in the curriculum; be it in Arts, Commerce or Science, syllabus up to undergraduate levels. Priority should be on creativity rather than output by rote.

4. English as an international language cannot be ignored. Excellence in verbal and written English will be an asset in the development and utilisation of our manpower globally. We are seriously lacking in this respect, and this needs to be corrected at the earliest. Our rank and level in overseas employment compared to neighbouring Asian countries can be the benchmark.

5. Financial allocation for education, both in development and revenue funds should get top priority. Money spent on education is the essential investment for national growth, and it should get the lions share of resources, possible even sacrificing some of our other needs. National priorities of needs have to be rethought and the importance of long term quality education must be given the topmost priority.

6. Salary and wages for teachers and all persons in the education sector has to be enhanced. To discourage private teaching a commensurate special pay or allowance should be given. Coaching as needed should be given to regular students of the institution. Component of tutorial and improvement classes should be encouraged to improve overall student standards. As comparison; if we can afford to provide subsidised ration and other benefits to the police and armed forces; then why not to the teachers the future builders of the nation?

7. The role and function of the school and college inspectors have to be more comprehensive. Their manpower has to be expanded to cover the growth in educational institutions and with increase in the scope of their involvement in the education process. These officials are the backbone to monitor and audit the quality of performance of our educational institutions and thus improve the quality of education.

These are some of the thoughts and ideas that comes to mind. To initiate this very real and crying need of improvement in our education sector, we must give it the highest priority. This must be reinforced with substantial overall investment to make it worthwhile. It is probably the only national direction which can lead us out of the progressive deterioration in our quality of life as a nation. It is our moral duty to be involved in this important need of the hour, and raise us out of the quagmire.