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| EDUCATION TRIBUNE |
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Teachers: Get quality, not just numbers
Britain prepares to discipline schoolchildren |
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Teachers: Get quality, not just numbers IN this age of numbers, we all talk in the terms of quantity — be it number of teachers recruited or new colleges opened — to improve education standards. But the real solution lies in focusing on quality. At seminars or debates in various fora, including universities, discussing shortage of staff has become a ritual. While talking of development, we always focus on how many more colleges have been opened in a particular area. However, the sole criterion to uplift education standards in the country should be the quality of professionals produced by various educational institutes. Ambition and mission notwithstanding, the task before the educationists and planners seems quite daunting, when one goes by the revelations made by the Govardhan Mehta Committee and the Yaspal Committee. While the Mehta Committee has raised the issue of faculty crunch, the Yashpal Committee has echoed the concern on diminishing standards. And one cannot ignore the fact that the education system is not only unable to sustain good teachers but also fails to attract bright scholars to its fold. Quantitatively, the mismatch on “supply and demand” of teachers is mind-boggling. When students in lakhs holding postgraduate degrees and thousands with doctorates step out every year from the four walls of educational institutes, why is there a clamour for vacant positions? One wonders, why do institutes or universities of repute like IITs and Jawaharlal Nehru University have 20 to 30 per cent posts lying vacant? Why do advertisements for various academic positions more often than not end up with the remark, “none was found suitable”? Recruitment of a teacher is a difficult task. Selection of an intellectually deficient teacher not merely just tantamount to wasting huge resources but also grants a blanket license to someone to ruin the future of coming generations. That is why it is often said that “one may be denied of guidance of a good teacher but one should never be in the clemency of a bad teacher”. Instances are not uncommon where students holding postgraduate degrees in top ranking even miss on basics of the discipline. Till recently not many serious steps were taken and implemented for rejuvenating the education system with some tangibly standards. Degrees were being granted for asking as virtually no mechanism could be evolved for quality certification. Take the case of the highest degree offered by universities, the Ph.D. Till the early 80s, in most of the reputed universities, the evaluation of a Ph.D. thesis was also undertaken by “foreign experts”. Later, the evaluation was opened for “Indian experts in foreign” and gradually, it has been confined to domestic circles. And evaluative reports in a number of cases more often than not end up with “however, Ph.D. may be granted”. Ironically, this “however” category of students is thriving on imperatives of consumerist society which impels the most brilliants brains to flourish outside academics. It is not uncommon to find that a number of institutions have faculty members who were at one point of time even did not qualify to get admission as students to study in those institute. The situation got further aggravated when internal system of education got into vogue. The internal system of evaluation and certification is proving to be a boon for the “intellectually deficient and professionally incompetent teachers” who teach five questions and set the paper out of that and eventually, both students and teachers are conveniently happy. And this “symbiotic relationship” puts a question mark on teaching community in general. On this count, teachers’ unions have also to be blamed. No teachers’ union has ever come against those “so-called teachers” who have an established record of not performing their jobs in letter and spirit. Instead, unions come up to ensure time-scale promotions for all on the lines of babus which may amount to their political success, but surely at the cost of academic upheaval. The system is caught in a vicious circle. While some are blemishing the profession, there are some who are deeply concerned about it. Then, what is the way out? Responsibility rests with those who feel strongly about the system. It would be worthwhile, if the present lot of those teachers concerned resorted to playing a model role for society. They have to dedicate themselves to the task of grooming the future generations, so that the brilliant brains come to join them and occupy the vacant positions. Spawning a new breed of teaching community demands a five to seven years of sacrifice on the part of teachers. They may be called upon to work under odd non-academic conditions to groom future generations, but the nation will be eventually safe from most of its ills. |
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Britain prepares to discipline schoolchildren
SCHOOLS in Britain are being empowered with an increased authority to ensure a disciplined environment, as teachers will get the right to use physical force while dealing with students. Rules on the use of physical force in schools are to be eased to “restore adult authority” in the classroom, the Daily Express reported. Teachers will be able to read texts on pupils’ phones and to erase any offensive messages, photos or videos. They are also expected to be given legal power to use “reasonable force”, for example, to remove a disruptive pupil from their classroom. Headteachers will be able to discipline pupils who misbehave outside school and to exclude students who make false allegations against staff. According to Education Secretary Michael Gove, current regulations inhibited teachers’ judgment. He insisted that more men must be recruited for teaching to provide children with male authority figures. Gove has already brought in no-notice detentions, tougher powers to allow teachers to search pupils for banned items, and anonymity for teachers facing abuse allegations. The Education Secretary said the government was planning to start a programme this autumn encouraging former soldiers to take up teaching, specifically to ensure more male role models. Recently, in a speech at Durand Academy, south London, Gove called for radical measures to “challenge the culture of low expectations”. He said: “They (children) are the lost souls, our school system has failed. It is from that underclass that gangs draw their recruits, young offenders’ institutions find their inmates, and prisons replenish their cells.”
— IANS |
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Maharshi Dayanand University, Rohtak THE Directorate of Distance Education (DDE) of Maharshi Dayanand University (MDU) has extended the last date for admission to its B.Ed. (Distance Education) programme for the session 2011-2013 to October 28. According to a university spokesperson, the applicant will have to deposit a late fee of Rs 1,000 along with the application. Lecture on biotechnology
The Centre for Biotechnology (CBT) of the university will organise a special lecture programme on October 20. According to the CBT Director, Prof. S. K. Gakhar, the inaugural lecture will be held under the newly established "Popular Lecture Series in Biotechnology". Prof. P. Rameshan, Director, IIM, Rohtak, will deliver this lecture on the topic "Management Applications in Biotechnology", while Dean, Faculty of Life Sciences, Prof. S.N. Mishra, will preside over the programme.
Campus placement drive
The Career Counselling and Placement Cell (CCPC) of the university organised campus placement interviews recently. Leading printing and publishing company Thomson Digital visited MDU for campus interviews. Manager, HR Training, Aruna Deva, and Senior Executive (HR), Shivani Razdan, conducted the placement drive on behalf of Thomson Digital. CCPC Director, Prof. Radhey Shyam, and coordinator, Dr Jagdeep Singla, organised the event in which as many as 100 students participated.
Extension lecture held
An extension lecture was organised in the Department of Hindi of the university recently. Noted scholar Dr Baldev Vanshi while delivering the lecture talked about the contribution of 'Sant Sahitya' in Hindi Literature. Dr. R.S. Pandey, Head of the Department of Hindi also spoke on the occasion. Meanwhile, the Deprtment of Zoology organised an extension lecture which was delivered by Prof. Deva D. Sharma of Shaw University, Raleigh (USA), on the topic “State of Higher Education and Research in the USA”. He gave valuable information about the procedure of getting research grants from US institutions. The Head of the Zoology Department, Dr Vineeta Shukla, also spoke on the occasion.
Workshop on molecular evolution from Oct 21
The Centre for Bioinformatics of MDU will organise a two-day national workshop on "Molecular Evolution and Phylogenetics" from October 21 to 22. According to the officials concerned, while this event will focus on the importance of molecular evolution and phylogenetic studies in the sphere of biological and allied research, a hands-on training in bioinformatics tools will also be provided in the workshop.
Book exhibition
A book exhibition titled “LIPI-2011” was held here recently. According to varsity officials, Dean, College Development Council, Prof. Dalip Singh, and Dean, Students’ Welfare, Prof. Rajbir Singh, inaugurated the exhibition. Various publishing houses took part in the event which was jointly organised by the Students' Welfare office of the university and a local book depot. A journal, “Indian Journal of Psychology and Education”, edited by Professor Radhey Shyam of the Department of Psychology, was also released on the occassion. Pt. B. D. Sharma University of Health Sciences, Rohtak The first meeting of the newly constituted body of the Scientific Research and Advisory Committee (SRAC) was held here recently. The meeting was chaired by the Vice-Chancellor, Dr S. S. Sangwan. The committee comprising well-known doctors and scientists included Dr P. K Dave, former director, AIIMS; Dr G. Gurudatta from the Nuclear Medicine Science, Dr Pradeep Seth from the AIIMS and Dr Anupam Sachdev from Ganga Ram Hospital, Delhi. The committee discussed various issues, including the setting up of a separate research and development centre and exchange programme between the scholars of this varsity and other institutions on various subjects and diverse research fields. The Registrar of the Health University, Dr Ashok Chauhan, was among others who attended the meeting. — Contributed by Bijendra Ahlawat |
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Agriculture
Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana 141004 PhD Programme for
Academic Session 2011-12 Eligibility:
MSc Biotechnology / Plant Breeding & Genetics / Life Scences with
min 70% in Masters and 50% in Bachelors Application Deadline: 18 November 2011 Armed Forces
Indian Navy, Post Bag No 04, Chanakyapuri, New Delhi 110021 Naval Armament
Inspection Cadre of Executive Branch (Permanent Commission) – June
2012 Course Eligibility: Unmarried
Indian males; Age:
For 1 & 2: 19½ - 25 years (DoB: 02 July 1987 – 01 Jan
1993) Selection: Merit, SSB Interview; Medical Exam Application Form: Online applications only Details: Website Application Deadline: 28 October 2011 Art & Design
National Institute of Design (NID), Paldi, Ahmedabad 380007 (Guj) A) Graduate Diploma
Programme in Design (4 years) Eligibility: For
A: 10+2 Application Form: Download from website Details: Website Application Deadline: 21 November 2011 Engineering
Indian Institute of Technology Delhi, Hauz Khas, New Delhi 110016 Admission to PhD &
MS (Research) Programmes 2011-2012 (2nd Semester) (Full
Time and Part Time) Eligibility: CGPA of 6.75 (on a point scale of 10) / 60% in qualifying exam; valid GATE scores (min 300 or as prescribed). For sponsored / part time candidates work exp required is 2 years for PhD and 1 year for MS (Res) Application Form: Send Rs 300/- by DD favouring "Registrar, IIT Delhi" with a self -addressed (25 cm x 20 cm), stamped (Rs. 15/-) to the Deputy Registrar (PGS&R) at the above address by 14 November 2011 / Download from website. Details: Employment News (08 - 14 October 2011) / Website Application Deadline: 21 November 2011 Finance
University of Delhi, D/o Financial Studies, Room No. 229, Arts Faculty
Building, South Campus, Benito Juarez Road, New Delhi 110021 1) Master of Finance
& Control (MFC) (2 years) Eligibility: Bachelors degree (any, min 50%) with Maths / Business Maths in Class 12 Selection: CAT 2011; GD & Inter iw Application Form: Send Rs 1100/- (For one course) or Rs. 1800/- (For both courses) by DD favouring "Director, University of Delhi, South Campus," payable at New Delhi to the above address by 05 December 2011 / Apply online Details: Website Application Deadline: 12 December 2011 Management
National Institute of Industrial Engineering (NITIE), Vihar Lake, PO
NITIE, Mumbai 400087 (Mah) (M/o HRD, GoI) PG Diploma (2
years): Eligibility:
BE / BTech in any branch (Ist Div) Application Form: Apply online Details: Website Application Deadline: 12 December 2011
Indian Institute of Forest Management, PO Box No 357, Nehru Nagar,
Bhopal 462003 (MP) (M/o Environment & Forests, GoI) PG Diploma in Forestry Management (2 years, Full Time) Eligibility:
Bachelor degree (any, min 50%) Application Form: Send DD for Rs 900/- in favour of "Director, Indian Institute of Forest Management" to the The Chairperson, PGDFM Admissions at the above address / Download from website Application Deadline: 12 December 2011 Medicine
University of Delhi, Faculty of Ayurvedic & Unani Medicines, 6th
Floor, VP Chest Institute Building, Delhi 110007 BAMS / BUMS Eligibility: 10+2 with PCB, 50% Application Form: Download from website Details: Website Application Deadline: 25 October 2011
National Board of Examinations, Ansari Nagar, New Delhi 110029 (M/o
Health & Family Welfare, GoI) DNB – Post Diploma
Centralised Entrance Test (January 2012) Eligibility: Passed PG Diploma course recognised by MCI in relevant broad speciality on or before 31 December 2011 Selection: Written Exam: 22 January 2012 Application Form & Details: Website Application Deadline: 31 October 2011 Scholarship
Kendriya Sainik Board, West Block IV, Wing V, RK Puram, New Delhi
110066 (M/o Defence, GoI) Prime Minister’s Scholarship Scheme for Wards / Widows of Ex-Servicemen Eligibility: Dependant wards / widows of Ex-servicemen and Ex-Indian Coast Guard personnel who have joined professional degree courses in Engg / Medicine / Dental / Veterinary / MBA / MCA in academic session 2011-12 Scholarship: Rs.1250/- pm for boys & Rs.1500/- pm for girls Application Form & Details: Website Application Deadline: 31 December 2011 Sciences – Physical
Indian Institute of Astrophysics, 2nd Block, Koramangala, Bangalore
560034 (Kar) (D/o Science & Technology, GoI 1) PhD Eligibility: For
1: MSc / ME / MTech / MPhil (Applied Physics / Engg Physics /
Applied Maths / Astronomy / Electronics / Maths / Photonics / Optics /
Physics) Selection: Written Test: 10 December 2011 Application Form & Details: Website Application Deadline: 06 November 2011 University
University Business School, Panjab University, Chandigarh 160014 1. MBA, MBA (IB), MBA
(HR) Eligibility: For 1: Bachelors Degree (any, min 50%) For 2:
Bachelors Degree in Biological Sciences / MBBS / BDS / BE / BTech (Bioinformatics
/ Biotechnology) (min 50%) Application Form: Download from website Details: Website Application Deadline: 29 October 2011
— Pervin Malhotra, www.careerguidanceindia.com |
