Contrary to the claims made mostly by
the architects
of the new
education policy it will lead to further
privatization, over- regulation and promotion of elitism .The
positives of the policy like flexibility,
introduction of multidisciplinary studies are of course
very welcome.
However, one fails to understand what
is sought to be achieved by making schooling 11 years and college 4 years. We
have seen this kind of experiments in the past also with very disastrous
consequences
for both the students and
teachers.
For example, when joined primary school in
Kerala in 1953, school meant 4+3+3 (primary
school+ middle school+ high school and college 1+3 (
one year pre –university + three year degree).
But with experimentation by the education department hundreds of my classmates
had to do 11 years of school and two years of
pre-degree and three years for a degree, total 16 years instead of 15.
At the same time in Uttar Pradesh
until the mid seventies
a student could
complete schooling in 10 years and acquire a degree in
another four years ( intermediate two years
and degree
two years.), that is
total 14 years.
The policy while talking about
flexibility has actually prescribed years of study both at the school and
college levels without taking into account
the ground realities in different states. The policy makers one gets the
feeling forgets the fact that India is a very diverse nation with different
languages, cultures, religions, geography and climate. One size fits all is
not
a philosophy that will yield great results
in the field of education.
Education we all know is in the
concurrent list and every state and region in the country should be free to
innovate and
experiment in the field of
education. Introduction of a uniform syllabus throughout the country we should
realize
is no great deal. Like every
child is special ,every state and region is also special.
The school curriculum should
necessarily contain studies of the child’s immediate environment and the
necessity of preserving it. India is still a nation of farmers and agriculture
is the main occupation of majority of
the people . Study of modern agriculture practices through practical
training in schools through out the country is overdue . Only modern
agriculture without the polluting effects of deadly pesticides and fertilizers
currently in use almost throughout the country can sustain future generations.
Studies after studies have pointed out
that soil salinity has reached dangerous levels in the Punjab and in Kerala
which receives plenty of rain the sub-soil water levels have gone steeply down
while the state is facing floods and droughts without fail every year. There
has been no decrease
in the number of
farmer suicides in Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh and Andhra Pradesh by debt
ridden farmers. Floods and
droughts are
regular features our existence.
These are serious issues our young
will have to learn if they have to lead happy and comfortable lives in the near
future. Unfortunately the National Education Policy is silent on the direction
in which our educational
efforts should progress.
We can hardly expect the foreign universities to guide on issues that are of
concern to our people. They will come, if at all they come with their own
agenda.
One should also not forget that
thousands of Indians are wasting their time in many third rate foreign
universities.
A few decades ago
it was very fashionable
among our educational planners to talk about neighborhood
schools. The idea is still valid considering the fact the population of our
cities are increasing and
more schools
will be opened without proper planning.
The growth of English medium private schools in our cities without
qualified teachers and adequate facilities has already done immense damage to
our educational efforts.
A word about medium of instruction.
The NEP has rightly emphasized the role of the mother tongue in a child’s
education.
However, one wonders whether
it is always right to link the mother tongue to the medium of instruction.
Whatever be the medium of instruction due emphasis should be given to the
mother tongue in our educational institutions.
Lastly making college degree four
years will make it more elitist. As of now not more than 40 percent students
complete their degree courses. With the four year degree their number will further
come down.
(Published
on 17th August 2020, Volume XXXII, Issue 34)
