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| EDUCATION TRIBUNE |
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The menace of absenteeism
Don’t encourage rote learning
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The menace of absenteeism
THE rot in higher education in the form of falling attendance in the classes is too glaring to be ignored and too serious to be dismissed. By and large, the students are non-serious, the teachers indifferent and the authorities, it seems, are disinterested. Vanishing students from the classes is a reality. It is a fact that attendance in the classes is falling, absenteeism is growing, and “teaching shops”, the so-called coaching centers, are flourishing, yet nobody is bothered. The all-pervading sense of complacency is disturbing.
The required minimum attendance criterion exists only on paper and not in practise. A few years ago, the attendance bar was raised from 66 per cent to 75 per cent, as if stricter norms will automatically translate into better compliance. Perhaps just the opposite is the effect. The majority of the students do not even strive to meet the required minimum, considering 75 per cent attendance too high to be achieved. Falling attendance in the classroom is a sign of growing indiscipline in the education system, towards which we cannot afford to adopt an ostrich-like approach. The educational institutions which boast of inculcating values in students cannot and should not tolerate this rampant absenteeism. But sadly, no action is taken against the defaulters. For, there is lack of will to check this menace. No wonder, the problem is compounding. In fact, the authorities are not much bothered about classes, since classroom teaching does not make news. These are the functions which keep an institution in the limelight and hence the focus is on activities. It is another matter that at times, an inconsequential activity may be blown out of proportion and projected as a mega event to hog newspaper space or in the name of celebration, a photo session may be held for the Press. Classroom teaching, which is the core activity of an educational institution, has been relegated to the background. These are the seminars which have come to occupy the center stage. A few years ago, it was the NAAC storm which hit the colleges of the region. Today, it is the seminar fever gripping the institutes of higher learning. There is a mad race for organising seminars. Never mind the quality and the relevance of the papers presented, seminars must be organised to get the brownie points. Some speakers at the seminars may be brilliant, their content original, but majority are wide off the mark. Teaching standards may be falling but the frequency of seminars has increased manyfold. Therefore, there is need to pause and reflect over seminar frenzy. Let there be a seminar to assess utility / futility of holding seminars so frequently. Besides the overemphasis on functions, there are other reasons that keep the students away from classes. Coaching for competitive exams from outside the college is yet another major factor. But a reality check will show that for most of the students, it is a “herd mentality” and an excuse to cut classes. There may be some justification for students to skip classes in the final year for the preparation of the CAT and MAT examinations, but thin attendance among the first-year students defies all logic. Even in the vocational courses run by colleges, there is a significant gap between enrolment and actual attendance. Therefore, falling attendance in the class calls for serious introspection, and we the teachers cannot absolve ourselves of our responsibilities. To ensure better attendance in the class, we need to make our lectures relevant, meaningful and lively. Though computer, Internet and modern tools can supplement teaching, these cannot supplant the role of a good teacher. Here, the conventional “chalk-and-talk” method of teaching cannot be dismissed, which is communicative and participative. Functions are important to break the monotony and for making the campus lively, but these should not become so frequent that they overshadow regular teaching. Let the importance of quality teaching not be lost in the noise and din of functions and seminars. Let the glory of classroom teaching be restored and pray that the tribe of dedicated teachers grows. The writer is an Associate Professor
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Don’t encourage rote learning
RECENTLY, I got surprised when a student of a well-reputed school answered, “Our teacher dictates the answers to the questions at the end of a chapter, essays, passages, applications, etc., and solves almost all the exercises herself for us and then we just memorise all that for the sake of the test and finally for the examinations.” Prior to this I used to think that at least some leading schools must be having a rational practise of the teaching-learning process. But it is astonishing to know that our schools are universally producing the same product — the cramming machine, with least logic and creativity!
Philosophical thoughts lay emphasis that we must move from instructionism to constructivism. However, the root is seldom discussed. The recent question papers designed by the CBSE for secondary classes make the situation very much clear — the learner needs to be evaluated in such a way where cramming skills matter the least. Concrete knowledge related to a particular skill or area of learning must solely be evaluated keeping the other skills apart. When we are evaluating the reading comprehension of the learner, his writing skill proficiency should not matter at all. Be it grammar, literature or creative writing, the language question papers do not expect anything crammed up. The exercises given at the end of a chapter are expected to be solved by the student, so that the grasping of concept and learning may be evaluated. Thus, the teacher’s role is just that of a facilitator. Now the question is, can a student of a junior class understand the questions himself and make the correct answers? Obviously, the degree of such skill would vary due to numerous factors, like, the stage of entry into the English medium, standard of the language training of the school, area in respect of rural or urban and, above all, the awareness of the academic administrator of the school. We must be determined enough to take courage and initiative to develop the language skills first, so as to make the student answer the questions and solve the exercises at his own level with a little help from the teacher. Let’s now take up the part of creative writing, for instance. What is the use of dictating the writing skills? Which aspect of learning are we improving here? Of course, not creative writing at all! We, the teachers, have to inculcate the necessary skills in the learner and develop the capability that he can himself compose on the given topic. The basic things mentioned here are not in anyway new or modern. For decades, the same had been demanded. But the traditional examination system can, no doubt, be held responsible for encouraging rote learning practises. Hats off to the CBSE that has taken a concrete initiative to implement the Continuous and Comprehensive Evaluation (CCE) System for all the levels of the secondary school education! All we need to do is to study this deeply, implement it core heartedly and follow it with complete faith in its genuineness as it has come into its final shape after a lot of research, under the recommendations of various renowned education commissions and committees. The writer is Principal, Garden |
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CCS Haryana Agricultural University, Hisar JRF for 10 students TEN students of College of Agriculture, Haryana Agricultural University, have been awarded Junior Research Fellowship (JRF) by the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR). They are: Ranveen Singh, Kamal Prakash Meena, Durgesh Kumar, Rohitash Kumar, Todar Mal, Arvind Gupta, Mukul Gupta, Jailal Gayakwar, Sandeep Yadav and Kiran Swami. They have qualified the JRF examination conducted by ICAR at the all-India level. Ranveen Singh got the sixth rank in the general category, whereas Kamal Prakash Meena got the 28th position in the general category and the first rank in the SC category in the field of agronomy. Likewise, Durgesh got the 16th rank in horticulture, Arvind Gupta got the 30th rank in plant biotechnology and Sandeep Kumar secured 43rd rank in agricultural economics. Pact with Mozambique Haryana Agricultural University will help Mozambique speed up development of its agricultural sector. An agreement to this effect was signed here recently. A Mozambique delegation visited HAU to seek its support for the faster development of its agriculture sector, especially for increasing productivity of its major crops of rice, wheat and maize. The delegation was headed by Dr Inacio Calvino Maposse, President of Scientific Council of Agriculture, Mozambique, Prof. Vasco J. Lino, National Director for Research Innovation and Technology Development, and Sergio Petaira, Engineer, Department of Agriculture. It was decided to further mutual relations for developing a proper strategy for speedier development of agriculture in Mozambique. A memorandum of understanding in this regard will be signed shortly. The Vice-Chancellor, Dr K.S. Khokhar, said the programmes of knowledge exchange in areas of research and development, soil management, seed production and agro practices would also be implemented. The members of the Mozambique delegation visited the Nehru Library and constituent colleges and reviewed the infrastructural facilities available there. Video studio opened The Vice-Chancellor, Dr K.S. Khokhar, inaugurated a video studio in the College of Home Science of the university. The video studio has been set up at a cost of Rs 90 lakh under experimental learning project of the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR). Established in the Department of Extension Education and Communication Management, the studio will cater to the needs of students of this department who have opted for journalism and mass communication as elective subject. Dr Khokhar said such facilities were very essential in educational institutions to provide hands-on experience to the students. He thanked the ICAR for accepting the proposal of the university and releasing funds for the studio. — Contributed by Raman Mohan
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ADMISSION
DEADLINE Indian Navy, Post Box No 476,
Gol Dak Khana, GPO, New Delhi 110001 Sailors for Artificer Apprentices for AA-131 Batch – February 2012 Eligibility: Unmarried
Indian males; 10+2 (with Maths & Physics and Optional subjects: Chemistry
/ Biology / Computer Sc, 55%) Selection: Written Test; Physical Fitness Test; Medical Exam Application Form & Details: Website Application Deadline: 08 July 2011 Indian Air Force, Command
Education Officer, HQ Western Air Command, IAF, Subroto Park, New Delhi 110010 Short Service Commission Courses for Male Indian Citizens, July 2012 1) Flying Branch 2) Technical Branch (Aeronautical Engg (Electronics / Mechanical) 3) Ground Duty Branches (Administration & Logistics / Accounts / Meteorology / Education) Eligibility: For
1: Bachelors (any, min 60% aggregate) with Maths & Physics in 10+2 OR
BE / BTech with 60% For 3:
For Administration & Logistics: Bachelors with 60% OR Masters or
equivalent Diploma with 50% Age:
For 1: 19 to 23 years on 01 July 2012 (DoB: 02 July 1989 - 01 July
1993) For PG/ LLB (5 years
integrated): 20 to 25 years (DoB: 02 July 1987 - 01 July 1992) Selection: Air Force Common Admission Test (AFCAT) on 28 August 2011 Application Form & Details: Employment News (11 – 17 June 2011) / Website Application Deadline: 11 July 2011 Indian Army, Additional
Directorate General of Recruiting, Rtg TGC Entry, AG’s Branch, Army Hqrs,
West Block III, R K Puram, New Delhi 110066 1) Technical Graduates
Course (January 2012) Eligibility: BE
/ BTech Application Form: Send in prescribed format with all required documents to the above address. Superscribe with red ink "114th TGC / 38th SSC (Tech) Men / 9th SSC (Tech) Women and Widows of Defence Personnel: Subject Code…." on the envelope / Download from website. Details: Website. Application Deadline: 20 July 2011 Engineering National Power
Training Institute (NR), NPTI Complex, Sector 33, Faridabad 121003 (Har) (M/o
Power, GoI) PG Diploma in GIS & Remote Sensing (1 year) Eligibility:
Bachelors degree / PG in any discipline with basic knowledge in computers Application Form: Send application in prescribed format with required documents, 2 passport size photographs and Rs 500/ - by crossed DD favouring "NPTI, Faridabad," payable at Faridabad at the above address / Download from website Details: Website Application Deadline: 14 July 2011 Centre for
Development of Advanced Computing (C-DAC), A 34, Phase VIII, Industrial Area,
Mohali 160071 (Punj) (GoI, M/o Comm & IT) 1) Advanced
Diploma in CADD Engg (26 weeks) Eligibility:
For 1: BE / Diploma in (Mechanical / Production / Automobile / Industrial
Engg) For 6: Bachelors degree Details: Employment News (11 – 17 June 2011) / Website Application Deadline: For 1, 2 & 5: 18 July 2011 For 3: 25 July 2011 For 6: 09 August 2011 Pandit Deendayal
Petroleum University, School of Petroleum Technology, PDPU Campus, Raisan,
Gandhinagar 382007 (Guj) (promoted by Gujarat State Petroleum Corporation Ltd) 1) MTech in
Petroleum Engg Eligibility: For
1: BTech in (Petroleum / Petroleum Refinery / Petrochemical / Mechanical /
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Industries Corporation (NSIC) Ltd, Okhla Industrial Estate, Phase III, New Delhi
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1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 & 7: Class 12 Details: Employment News (11 – 17 June 2011) / Website DOEACC Society,
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level (1 year) Eligibility: For
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National Institute of Co-operative Management, Centre for Management Education,
University Road, Pune 411007 (Mah) (GoI) PG Diploma in Agri-Business Mgmt (2 years)Eligibility: Bachelors degree (50%) Selection: CAT / MAT / XAT / ATMA / JMET; Interview Application Form: Send Rs 1100/- by DD favouring "Director, VAMNICOM, Pune" to The Programme Director, PGDM at the above address / Download from website. Details: Employment News (11 – 17 June 2011) / Website www.aima-ind.org1) PG Diploma
in Management: HRD, Marketing, Finance, Operations, Info Sys, Intnl Bus (2
years) Application Form & Details: Website Institute of
Management Technology (IMT), Centre for Distance & Learning, A 16, Site 3,
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Programmes: Eligibility: For
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Programme: MBA (Marketing / Finance / International Business / HR Mgmt /
General) / MCA Eligibility: Bachelors degree Application Form & Details: Website Application Deadline: 30 September 2011 Mass Comm National Institute
of Technical Teachers Training & Research (NITTTR), Sector 26, Chandigarh
160019 (Punj) (M/o HRD, GoI) 1) Certificate
Course on Video and Animation Production (6 months) Eligibility: For
1: 10+2 Application Form & Details: Website. Application Deadline: 01 July 2011 Medicine Jawaharlal
Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education & Research (JIPMER), Puducherry
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Foundation, University College of Law, College Road, Dharwad 580001 (Kar) Dr DC Pavate
Memorial Fellowship to Cambridge - 2012 a) One fellowship at the Centre of International Studies, D/o Politics & International Studies, Cambridge, selected on all India basis: The fellowship will be effective from January 2012. Candidates with good academic record in the areas if History, Political Science, International Economics, International Law or Military Affairs will be considered. (b) One fellowship at Judge Business School, Cambridge, selected from among Karnataka Candidates: This fellowship will be effective from May 2012. Candidates from Karnataka with good academic record and interest in any aspect of Indian business and management will be considered. (c) One fellowship
at the Department of Applied Mathematics and Theoretical Physics / Department of
Material Sciences and Metallurgy / Department of Chemistry / Department of
Zoology, selected from among Karnataka Candidates: This
fellowship will be effective from September 2012. Candidates from Karnataka with
good academic record in the area of applied mathematics and theoretical physics,
Material Sciences and Metallurgy, Chemistry & Zoology will be considered.
The selection and award is subject to the Department identifying a host research
group accepting the successful candidate. Application Form & Details: Website Application Deadline: 30 July 2011 A STAR India Youth Scholarships, C/o M/o Education, School Placement & Scholarship Branch, 3rd Floor Podium Block, 1 North Buona Vista Drive, 138675 Republic of Singapore (Agency for Science, Technology & Research)www.moe.gov.sg/education/scholarships/astar / www.a-star.edu.sg 1) A* STAR
India Youth Scholarships (4 years) Eligibility:
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Educational Foundation in India (USEFI), Fulbright House, 12, Hailey Road, New
Delhi 110001 Fulbright-Nehru Doctoral & Professional Research Fellowships (1 year) Eligibility: Indian
Citizen; working on their PhD; Masters degree with substantial work-exp Fellowship: The fellowships provide a monthly stipend / limited health insurance / round-trip economy class air travel / applicable allowances / modest affiliation fees, if any. Selected scholars will have opportunities to audit non-degree courses / conduct research and gain practical work experience in suitable settings in the U.S. Application Form: Download from website Details: Website Application Deadline: 15 July 2011 Sciences – Biological Rajiv Gandhi
Centre for Biotechnology, Thycaud PO, Thiruvananthapuram 695014 (Ker) (D/o
Biotech, GoI) PhD (Human, Animal & Plant Disease Biology) Eligibility:
PG in (Life Sc / Biotechnology / Agriculture / Veterinary Sc), 60%; Application Form & Details: Website Application Deadline: 30 June 2011 Sciences – Physical Mahatma Gandhi
University, Institute for Intensive Research in Basic Sciences (IIRBS),
Priyadarshini Hills, PO Kottayam 686560 (Ker) (GoI) Interdisciplinary Integrated MS Programme (5 years) Eligibility: 10+2
(Science stream); students with aptitude in Basic Sciences Application Form & Details: Website. Application Deadline: 07 July 2011 Sciences – Social Pandit Deendayal
Petroleum University, School of Liberal Studies, Raisan, Gandhinagar 382007 (Guj)
(promoted by Gujarat State Petroleum Corporation Ltd) MA in Public Admin / Political Sc with International Relations / English Literature Eligibility: Bachelors degree in any discipline Selection: Entrance Test: 25 June 2011 Application Form & Details: Website Application Deadline: 22 June 2011 National Institute
of Public Cooperation & Child Development, 5 Siri Institutional Area, Hauz
Khas, New Delhi 110016 (Affiliated to Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University) Advance Diploma in Child Guidance & Counselling Course (1 year) Eligibility: Masters degree (Social Work / Psychology / Child Development / Community Resource Mgmt / Development Communication Extension / Special Education) / MEd / Bachelors Degree (Social Work / Psychology / Child Development / Community Resource Mgmt / Development Communication Extension / Special Education) with five years of work ex / BEd with 4 year work experience with children Selection: Written Test & Interview: 13 – 15 July 2011 Application Form & Details: Website Application Deadline: 05 July 2011 Teaching & Education Kurukshetra
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Vishwavidyalaya, Khandwa Road, Indore 452017 (MP) ME / MTech /
MPharm Programmes 2011-12 Application Form & Details: Employment News (11-17 June 2011) / Website Application Deadline: 27 June 2011 Guru Jambheshwar
University, Directorate of Distance Education, Hisar 125001 (Har) 1) PGDCA / MCA (1st
year) Application Form: Send Rs 450/- by DD favouring "Registrar, GJUS & T, Hisar" to the above address / Download from website. Details: Website. Application Deadline: For 1 – 5: 31 August 2011 For 6 – 17: 31 October 2011 Central University
of Punjab, D 13, Civil Station, Bathinda 151001 (Punj) MPhil / PhD
Courses in: Biosciences
/ Comparative Literature / Environmental Sc & Tech / Developmental Economics
/ South & Central Asian Studies Selection: First Phrase Entrance Test: 16 July 2011 Application Form & Details: Website Pervin Malhotra, Director, Career Guidance India (CARING)(www.careerguidanceindia.com)
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