Quality of education

The editorial “Like teachers, like pupils” reflects the true condition of government schools. Teachers have been recruited just to nurture vote banks and display data of enhancing the literacy rate. The standard of education has been falling. Many students from the lower strata of society come only to collect stipends. The parents who can afford private institutions avoid sending their children to government schools. There is a spurt of deemed universities and commercialisation of education.

State eligibility tests were started for teachers, but malpractices in these tests cannot be ruled out. Cheating in exams conducted by various education boards is not checked. Teachers should be part and parcel of the policy enforcing mechanism. They should be free from non-teaching work and extra burden so that they can impart quality education. Accountability at every level should be fixed. Undue political interference must be stopped in transfers and appointments.

DILBAR ALI MEERAK, Tohana

Inculcate values

It is essential to introduce career-oriented courses at the graduate and post-graduate levels. Today, students lack values which are a serious obstacle in the way of their personality development. They do not have respect towards their teachers and elders, disabled persons and women. They are not ready to abide by law and order. They lack patience which is essential to attain success. Boards of studies of universities should include value-oriented subjects in the syllabi of all courses at the under-graduate and post-graduate levels. Lectures on these subjects should be transmitted on EDUSAT to imbibe moral values in the youngsters.

NAIB SINGH, Saha (Haryana)

Old system good

Apropos the editorial “Like teachers, like pupils” (October 11), many states, including HP, have sought a second opinion on the RTE and its provisions such as the no-retention policy for students in elementary classes. Rural education is still a dream. Almost 90% students are enrolled in government schools that lack quality education. There are hardy 220 working days in an academic year in schools. The number of holidays should be restricted.

It is shocking that many teachers have flunked the central eligibility test. Promotion avenues to such teachers should be restricted. The government should select heads of school through direct recruitment by the commission so that efficient persons occupy the helm of affairs.

The old system of annual examination with poor performers being retained in the same class should be revoked. Teachers must be made accountable for the pathetic state of affairs. The teaching profession seems to be the last option for most aspirants.

PRAMILA DHIMAN, Nadaun

Reform education

The editorial “Like teachers Like Pupils” (October 11) highlights the fractured education system. It's an outcome of our past actions when the country expanded quantitatively rather than qualitatively. Parties in power tried to gain political mileage with the opening of a large number of educational institutions but failed to swim against the tides to improve the quality.

The government should bring reforms in the sector. The use of technology should be encouraged. However, the teacher-taught relationship should not be undermined. Students get knowledge and ethical values from their teachers and parents. Strong measures should be taken in the selection of a teacher as he affects the lives of a new generation.

Dr Ramesh Dogra, Panchkula