A few days ago, I posted a letter I had written in May 1986 to the editor that was published in the Times of India, Bombay edition. It was written as a passionate reaction to dashed hopes after the Education policy the same month was unveiled by the Government of India. Having just about graduated from college, the education system we had gone through left us uninspired. College life, though, was enjoyable – we were taught less than what we learnt and educated more than what we studied!
I remember, for example, studying a subject called “Organisation & Management”. The prescribed study material for that subject drove me to tears even as I tried to read thru the first few pages. Nothing made any sense. It was only thanks to Peter Drucker’s book “The Practice of Management” that helped me enjoy the read, understand the concept, and get through the examination. Ever since then, I have continued to observe the gap between learning and education. As I commenced my professional study, I was clear that more than the qualification what will see me through is the practical application of that qualification.
This is what I observed and diagnosed. My college in Mumbai back in the early eighties was one of the premier commerce colleges in the country and it was a Government run college. At college there were three distinct sets of educators as I saw it. The first set of people were practicing professionals who took us through subjects like law and accountancy. Invaluable! For example, a practising lawyer who taught us the subject of law eventually rose to the position of a Judge in the Supreme Court of India. What we learnt through these awesome people was just not the subject but the essence and application of it. They made learning interesting and induced us to learn more and be curious. The next set were the professorial PhDs who took up subjects like Economics – great explanationists – unfortunately though, very often it was about them and not about us! What I thought about economics is aptly depicted below!
The third set of teachers were those who were merely doing a job. I do not hold that against them though. Everybody is entitled to earn a living, and some do that as teachers. The problem lies in the fact that for the country, particularly the public sector education set up, the third group is not encouraged to be accountable for what they do. Absenteeism of teachers in government schools is well known to all. Unless the teaching community takes accountability to impart knowledge, I submit that no policy can ever see the light of day. My frustration in 1986 was around the fact that out of the 6-7 lectures in my college every day, only THREE accounted for the first two categories. the balance 3 to 4 lectures comprised of the category 3 group of lecturers who failed to incite any energy, interest, or enthusiasm for us to listen to them. Scheduled lectures were often cancelled since the lecturer, like typical government employees, were invariable on leave. Back then, it felt like a boon to rush off with friends to the canteen or elsewhere. In hindsight, however, I realise the valuable time we lost in working our grey cells, learning and being curious. I realise now how much students lost out on.
My earlier post was a reaction to yet another Education policy put forward 34 years later. Admittedly, it has some wonderful ideas and different thought. However, since it comes from the Central Government and education is on the concurrent list under our Constitution, it can only be influenced in part since a chunk of it needs to be accepted at the State level – that politics will never allow to happen. No policy, therefore, can change the mindset – it can only be a wonderful intent. The change must come to the minds of the educators and students alike. Teachers must be energised to impart knowledge, not merely teach and students must be enthused to educate themselves, not merely study. The system must allow people who are itching to impart knowledge to be welcomed into the system. But there is resistance from the traditionalists. The system is burdened with status quo and one hopes that water will find its level. The level rises with every generation, but the leaks never get plugged! However, where there is despair, there is hope!
