DANGEROUS DIRECTION

The Indian education system has gone through a sea of changes in the last few years.  The Central Board of Secondary Education and the respective State Boards of education have been competing in bringing about changes, some unwarranted and some political.  There are similar changes made at the University Levels as well. 

Some of the states seem to have designed their syllabus to show better results.  There is a wide divide in the quality of education that is provided in State Boards of various States.  While we have states like Andhra Pradesh who have set a standard mirroring the CBSE syllabus, we have states like Uttar Pradesh and Bihar that follow a syllabus catering to regional needs. 

The CBSE has also chopped and changed many systems over the last few years.  It is not only restricted to changes in syllabus but also to the changes in the evaluation system.  Every HRD Minister who takes charge of this portfolio tries to make a change or two with a hope that he/she would leave behind a legacy. 

The problem with the Secondary education in India is that; it is exam oriented and not course oriented.  The main objective of the present set of students is to obtain good marks in order to get into a reputed University OR prepare oneself for one of those Centrally-administered entrance examinations.  The focus on knowledge has given way to focus on Marks. 

We often have a feeling that CBSE is tough and it is difficult to score marks and State Board is easier to prepare and obtain good marks.  The State Boards are about rote memorization which encourages retention and reproduction.  What goes out is the understanding and life-long learning of the subject.  CBSE is reasonable better as it focuses on content of the answers.

The story of higher education at the university level is even more pathetic.  We have a huge turnout of Graduates and Engineers every year who are not readily marketable.  This is the first indicator of the quality of the education that is imparted to them.

We are fast approaching another revolution.  A revolution powered by new technology, Artificial Intelligence, 3D Printing, etc.  Our present system can, at the max, prepare us to do low-skill or soft skill jobs.  India has a huge population under the age of 20.  If our syllabus is not designed in consultation with the Industry experts, who continue to spend on development and expansion, the divide between what the Industry needs and what we teach at Schools and Universities will only grow wider.

We are capable of being creative.  We are what we are only because of the system and the syllabus that we are put through.  We can dominate the world with our work force and grow at rapid speed. 

It is a known fact that half of the country does not even have access to proper education.  That should in no way influence the syllabus that is set at Schools and Universities.  The changes in the syllabus and the development of infrastructure to provide education to all; should go concurrently.  This will augur well for a shining India in the future.

 

(The above article was written for publication in Nov 2018 issue of PRINCE'S VOICE - my Community eMagazine.)