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| EDUCATION TRIBUNE |
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Keep politics out of classrooms Upholding
tradition in modern times Campus
Notes
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Keep politics out of classrooms
TRADITIONALLY, teaching was considered to be the most noble and pious profession, teachers having being accorded an extremely respectable place in society. Of course, everything was not well in that education , which was primarily meant for the elite, for the masses had little access to it. Also, there were at that time, too, good teachers and bad teachers. Teaching conventionally had a heavy dose of values right from the elementary level. With the French Revolution, followed by the Industrial Revolution in Western Europe, education came to be recognised as a tool to generate a rational and critical attitude not only in academic and professional life but also in social and personal life. Bias of any kind was despised and hence, scientific investigation became the most important basis of acquisition of all kinds of knowledge. The Constitution of India throughout has emphasised upon fairness, justice and rejection of arbitrariness in order to achieve the ideals of equality, secularism and democracy. However, in reality, there is a huge gap between theory and practise. While societies moved in the direction of democratic values, with a deep appreciation of human rights, divergence of opinion and resistance to the predominant ideology became fashionable. As a result, social sciences in particular found it hard to resist the ideological nuances in teaching, whereby it was very normal for the teacher to teach from a specific ideological angle, claiming it to be democratic and liberal thinking. Many a time this theoretical ideological leaning would be translated into practise by inducting young students into a political dialogue, which they hardly understood but that was sufficient to kill the fair and critical thinking in them for all times to come. It was refreshing to come across the comment made by Justice Joseph at the Vice-Chancellors’ Conference in Simla recently that teaching must never be mixed with politics. Unfortunately, the higher educational institutions in our country have become a breeding ground for future politicians. Still more worrisome is the fact that it is the teachers who often use classroom teaching as a means to impregnate the impressionistic minds with ethnocentric ideas, dangerously hitting at the constitutional spirit of secular, democratic India. It is painful to watch the young students falling into the trap of a calculated agenda that even abuses them for achieving vested interests. In this game of power dynamics, ultimately, majority succumbs to the powerful, giving in completely to those formulating the agendas, making the decisions at the helm of affairs. The same teachers, who thus teach the power of critical thinking and rational, scientific attitude, enjoy watching their trainees engage in most communal, negative and damaging intercourse, posing a severe dent on the credibility of the future caretakers of the nation that swears in the name of democracy and secularism. Is it possible that the same individuals, who are taught with an ideological tone in the classroom and outside, would be able to function as fair and democratic bureaucrats, teachers, judges and scientists? When globalisation is known for offering a huge platter to the young, leaving it to them to make their own choices, why can’t we as teachers expose the young minds to diverse ideologies and options, out of which they can make their own choices? I always wonder as to why the same students, who are so obedient and well mannered till school level, turn into an unmanageable and indisciplined lot on entering the colleges and universities. Somewhere, we the teachers are to be blamed. More than our syllabi, it is our behaviour, body language and practical attitudes that shape the young minds and remember, teaching is not an ordinary profession. It is not shop keeping either. As teachers we must not just teach critical scientific aptitude, more importantly, we must display it through our behaviour, teaching and practise. Howsoever liberal the society may become, a teacher shall perpetually have to exhibit self-restraint, discipline and professionalism, because “a teacher commands respect”. The writer is Chairperson, Departments of
Sociology and Women’s Studies, Panjab University, Chandigarh |
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Upholding tradition in modern times THE story goes back to the 1920s when the scenic hills of Simla, the Capital hill station of Himachal Pradesh, received a young visitor, Frank Von Goldstein, who along with his father, Felix Golstein, a civil engineer and, later, a well-known architect who constructed and designed a number of buildings in Simla, including the Wildflower Hall, and younger brother, Kenneth Von Goldstein, arrived to stay in the city. Originally German Jews, both the brothers, Frank and Kenneth, completed their initial education from Lawrence School, Ghoragali, and later from Bishop Cotton School, Simla, following which they went on to pursue their postgraduate degrees in Geography and English, respectively, from the famed Cambridge University, UK. Both fought and fresh out of the Second World War as Lieutenant Colonel and Major, chose to pursue teaching as a career. While Major Kenneth or R.K. Von Goldstein, after a stint as Vice-Principal at Aitchison College, Lahore, Pakistan, came to take over as Headmaster of his alma mater, Bishop Cotton School, Lt Col Frank Von Goldstein’s destiny was to veer him towards the plains. Lt Col Frank Von Goldstein came to take over the reins of Yadavindra Public School, Patiala, from its first Headmaster, Rai Bahadur Dhani Ram Kapila, in 1950. He was to remain in this position for the next 18 years (from 1950 to 1968) to play a long momentous role its establishment and running. An iconic figure and an able administrator, it was soon that Lt Col Goldstein was able to prove his mettle through the introduction of measures that catapulted the still-budding school to become one of the foremost educational institutions of the region. Recalling his immense contribution to the school at the recent 22nd edition of the Annual Lt Col Frank Von Goldstein Debate, initiated in Lt Col Goldstein’s memory, A.S. Jawanda, an old student and a former staff member and Principal of the school, remembered the extraordinary physical fitness Lt Col Goldstein was gifted with, which enabled him to play hockey and soccer with the students, even at the ripe age of 60. Caning, Jawanda recounted, during Lt Col Goldstein’s tenure, was seldom undertaken but only to ensure discipline within the school. Jawanda most fondly remembered Lt Col Goldstein’s rare ability to teach as many as four different subjects, particularly English and Geography, a distinction no other Headmaster has been able to match. Having remained a confirmed bachelor, after retirement, Lt Col Goldstein retreated to live in Masonic Lodge in New Delhi, where he spent the remaining years of his life. Considering the burgeoning achievements of this great man, it was imperative for the school to start an event, a tradition, committed to his honour. Thus, the Annual Lt Col Frank Von Goldstein Debate was instituted in 1988 by the former Principal, Dr H.S. Dhillon, with the aim of imbibing methodical debating skills amongst the students, besides, of course, keeping the memory of the great man alive. The debate since has grown from strength to strength in the last 23 years, seeing the participation of as many as 16 schools at one time. The debate, which started as a one-evening-one round affair, was revised to its present parliamentary format of debating three years ago under the stewardship of the present Principal, S.V. Kumar. The debate is held over a period of two exhaustive days comprising preliminary, semi-final and final rounds, with a wide range of eloquent topics to be debated upon and adjudicated upon by a panel of eminent judges, ranging from eminent educationists, well-known writers and authors, former and present Principals of public schools and lecturers, Professors and Heads of the Departments of leading colleges of the region. The recently concluded debate saw 11 schools participating. Modern School, New Delhi, emerged winner after defeating the last year winning team Yadavindra Public School, Patiala, in a closely-fought finals.
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Campus Notes THE Department of Sports Medicine and Physiotherapy of the university recently organised a continuing medical education (CME) programme on "Recent Trends in Manual Therapy" in the conference hall of Guru Nanak Bhawan. Professor Rajinderjit Kaur Pawar, Dean, Academic Affairs, inaugurated the CME programme and discussed about the application of physiotherapy in common complications and disabilities. Professor Pawar said modern civilisation gave us pleasant, jubilant and luxuriant lives, and simultaneously presented some common complications like diabetes, hypertension, cardiovascular diseases, etc. He said physical inactivity was the root cause of many complications. Professor Jaspal S. Sandhu, Dean, Faculty of Sports Medicine and Physiotherapy, discussed about the tradition of organising CME programmes in the department, while Dr Deepak Kumar, senior consultant and accredited Mulligan therapist of New Delhi, explained the planning of discussion and demonstration of manual therapy. Dr Shyamal Koley, Head of the Department, mentioned the importance of manual therapy in daily life.
Online registration for UGC-NET The last date for online registration of candidates for the UGC-NET Junior Research Fellowship and eligibility for lectureship exam in the various disciplines is October 25, whereas the deadline for the online submission of printouts of filled-in forms is October 31. Dr Navdeep Singh Tung, coordinator of the test, said the aspirants could register themselves online at UGC's websites, www.ugcnetonline.in and www.ugc.ac.in, till October 25. It is mandatory for the perspective candidates to submit the printouts of their filled-in online application forms in duplicate along with one copy each of attendance slip and admission card. The office of the coordinator, situated at Baba Budha College Bhawan on the university campus, will remain open on Saturdays, Sundays and other holidays except Diwali.
Workshop on Sri Guru Granth Sahib A workshop on "Studies on Sri Guru Granth Sahib: Utilisation of Computer and Digital Technology" was held at the Conference Hall of the university recently. The workshop was organised by the Centre on Studies in Sri Guru Granth Sahib. Professor A. S. Brar, Vice-Chancellor, inaugurated the workshop, while Giani Joginder Singh Vedanti, former Jathedar, Akal Takhat, presided over. Dr Gurnek Singh, Vice-Chancellor, Guru Granth Sahib World University, Fatehgarh Sahib, was the chief guest on the occasion. Dr Balkar Singh, an eminent Sikh scholar, delivered the keynote address, while Dr Balwant Singh Dhillon, Director, Centre on Studies in Sri Guru Granth Sahib, spoke about the activities of the centre. The second session of the workshop was conducted by Dr Kulbir Singh Thind of California Professor A. S. Brar said religion and science were not contradictory but complimentary to each other, because both were reflections of the truth. He said computer had revolutionised life on the planet, therefore, this technology should be utilised for the development of society. In his keynote address, Dr Balkar Singh said though computer technology was helpful to mankind, people had become overdependent on scientific tools.
Last date extended The last date for the submission of annual examination forms for private candidates has been extended up to October 28. According to the Registrar, Dr Inderjit Singh, all private candidates of under-graduate and postgraduate classes can fill their annual examination form and deposit fee till October 28. The fee can be deposited at any branch of the State Bank of Patiala, he said.
— Contributed by G. S. Paul
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Agriculture Guru Angad Dev
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Rajesh
Gill