http://ia.rediff.com/money/2006/mar/20asoc5.htm?q=tp&file=.htm
"Most people will agree that you don't need to be an expert to realise the problems plaguing education in India: That our system emphasises learning by rote, that most schools do not encourage a child to nurture and develop his/her true potential, that India faces an acute shortage of quality teachers, that there is very little cutting edge research happening in the country."
Location: British Columbia
Posted on: 20-03-06 13:22:04
Quote:
Originally posted by desi in ottawa
http://ia.rediff.com/money/2006/mar/20asoc5.htm?q=tp&file=.htm
"Most people will agree that you don't need to be an expert to realise the problems plaguing education in India: That our system emphasises learning by rote, that most schools do not encourage a child to nurture and develop his/her true potential, that India faces an acute shortage of quality teachers, that there is very little cutting edge research happening in the country."
Interesting article. Any comments/thoughts/experiences?
(I cant comment as I dont have direct exp).
Thanks
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~ Morning rain
Quote:
Originally posted by morning_rain
Quote:
Originally posted by desi in ottawa
http://ia.rediff.com/money/2006/mar/20asoc5.htm?q=tp&file=.htm
"Most people will agree that you don't need to be an expert to realise the problems plaguing education in India: That our system emphasises learning by rote, that most schools do not encourage a child to nurture and develop his/her true potential, that India faces an acute shortage of quality teachers, that there is very little cutting edge research happening in the country."
Interesting article. Any comments/thoughts/experiences?
(I cant comment as I dont have direct exp).
Thanks
IMO, it is a paradox..the very education system has produced enough intelligent doctors and engineers, IT specialists etc...that the western countries are looking forward to them. An Average Indian student excels in academics over his western counterparts. BUT, that cannot be said for the overall development of the students' personality / creativity etc...
Though the article disagrees, I would like to see many more schools build (instead of temples) and the development should be evenly distributed. One thing they should pickup from western counterparts is introducing creativity and engaging in all round development of the students instead of just the academics..maybe they should have school timings from 830 to 4pm or 5pm and have more time for sports etc..I know lot of schools toggle thier building space between afternoon and morning batch students, but a reschedule is workable if the desire is there.
The another major issue with education is who designs the curricullum? Lately we see lot of political interference in this which is not good in the long run.
Just my 2 cents..given the preference, I would like my kids to be educated in India upto high school and do thier graduation here..
Hiren
Location: British Columbia
Posted on: 20-03-06 15:43:46
Quote:
Originally posted by hchheda
IMO, it is a paradox..the very education system has produced enough intelligent doctors and engineers, IT specialists etc...that the western countries are looking forward to them. An Average Indian student excels in academics over his western counterparts. BUT, that cannot be said for the overall development of the students' personality / creativity etc...
Hiren
How are indian students in the humanities? Social sciences?
Why is the quality of teachers education poorer than that of the scientist or IT professional? Is it because IT profs will be paid better wages?
This is an interesting debate that occurs locally as well - Teachers unions fight for better salaries and working conditions for teachers. They are in a position to guide and mold the future generations. Why does it seem(from this article) that teachers education isnt standardized.
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~ Morning rain
Inspite of the shortcomings in the education system, teachers have been doing quite well in teaching the students in India. Considering that they have to teach about 40-50 students per class in school & that many Indian students do well in their studies abroad, I would say that they are not doing bad.
Salary structures for teachers & professors have improved a lot in the last 8-10 years. Lots of new private schools have come up in India in the last 5 years with good facilities for sports, full day school, etc.
What Indian students seem to lack in is communication & public speaking skills & as Hiren has rightly said creativity & all-round development has to be encouraged.
In India and maybe in other countries also, everything depends on one particular academic standard generally 12th grade. Lots of instances of students who have done well in all previous years & are not able to do well in that particular year & not able to fulfil their potential.
I also agree with Hiren that primary education is better in India. It seems that we Indians are doing better in maths & there is a lot of concern in the Western countries about poor standards of maths among students. Graduate or post-graduation studies are better in Western countries here.
I guess with teachers there is not much motivation in terms of learning new things as they have to teach more or less the same things year after year. For scientists or IT professionals, they have the challenge of doing new things.
Rgds.
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Let's make India a better place !
My take on this:
The entire education system need to be modified a bit. No overhaul needed. As others pointed out, our primary education system is good. IMO, most are spoonfed and made to memorize rather than thinking and understanding. This is what I went thru though I was in a decent school.
Some of the curriculum is outdated. It's been there for 40-50 yrs. World has changed and our system is unable to cope or match the changes. Opening more engg or medical colleges (with capitation fee) may not be the solution.
For example, I am a civil engineer and had to take two semesters of Geology. Never used it in the real world. My mom, who was grade 12 graduate knew more abt sand and stones than me. Just by general knowledge. I also had two semesters of workshop (mechanical engg related). I haven't used those skills in the real world of civil engg.
DIO
