Letter to the Editor – Educational reforms are necessity - 27/06/2009

Dear Sir,

Seminal reform in our education system appear finally to be on the cards. Union Minister for Human Resource Development, Mr Kapil Sibal, has already set the tone for innovative changes at the school level by rightly proposing amendments to the “traumatic” class ten board exams system.

Of course, it remains to be seen how far he can succeed but citizens and companies (who, after all, employ these students in later years) can now positively anticipate the improvements that many have been waiting for.

Our education system is, sadly, archaic. It has only slightly evolved from the days of the British. No doubt the per capita density of schools and colleges has increased but the quality of delivery has markedly deteriorated in the state sector.   Lack of incentives to enter the teaching profession and poor quality infrastructure are just two major barriers.  On top of this poor families still see little hope of education leading their child out of poverty and so do not encourage their children to attend even where the facilities are available.

The system needs a multipronged approach that takes a long hard look at all aspects of how we educate this country’s youth from primary to university levels. All stakeholders’ interests must be taken into account, including the teachers, lecturers and professors, without whose support major reforms cannot be delivered.

Today's youth are, after all, our future leaders, entrepreneurs, team players, armed forces and electorate. It has never been more vital to our nation’s future that these youngsters be equipped to be capable citizens in an improving world where the services sector will dominate.

As Mr Sibal has rightly pointed out, the current system of examinations is too traumatic and stressful. We have to give our children opportunity to grow, to think, to develop and to be more creative. Though it is a tired phrase, it is true that we need to inculcate life skills in our youngsters, to equip them for the world in which they live and all of the realities therein. They need targets in their education, but exam torture may not be the most constructive route: denying children their childhood by bonding them to desks leads to adults that cannot innovate, compete and strategise.

No-one expects miracles overnight, but a good beginning such as that made by Mr Sibal is a massive encouragement.

We can thank our lucky stars that we have a Union HRD Minister who thinks laterally, who carries no baggage and who is prepared to challenge all aspects of the system.

His statements on tenth class exams and university education have shown practicality and drive. I am confident that over the term of this Government Mr Sibal will propose and manage change effectively.

Education is an investment; some benefits will be immediate and obvious, others much further down the road.

Future generations will, quite rightly, be thankful for changes effected currently to the education system of the country.

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