GS2 (Issues relating to education sector)
If the goal of a university is not myopically defined to train students only in a particular subject, but is to prepare students for unforeseen and unimagined things that life has to offer, then politics is very important, as a part and parcel of college. Critically comment in the light of recently released TSR Subramanian committee report.
Best answer
Aman Chauhan wrote the best answer for this question and got a score of 4.5/10 (if the best answer is an image, it cannot be uploaded here, hence scroll down to see those). The answer is being reproduced below for everyone’s convenience. Of course these answers can always be improved. (Best answer of a particular only involves those given on that day, later answers may not have been checked)
Crisis in our education sector hasn’t been a thing of surprise and to realise true potential of education in our society by advising on New education policy TSR Subramaniam committee was appointed which gave some novel recommendations –
1. Increase spending on education to 6% of GDP (also reiterated by economic survey )
2. Teacher entrance tests to be made a norm in view of poor quality teachers
3. Establish Indian education services on line of administrative services
4. On demand board exam to be introduced
5. Mid day meal scheme in secondary schools (to ensure health and nutrition )
6. Restrict political activities on campus
7. Restrict stay of students overtime to curb disruptive activities
8. Desirability of non -recognition of student groups based on caste and religion
While welcoming some much needed suggestions , political restriction advice raises few questions ,because politics can help in –
A- increasing awareness among students
B-enforcing accountability among administrators
C-gives leaders to our society like P.Chidambaram , Arun Jaitley ,etc
Yet it does have negatives like
A-increase politicisation brings bad name to universities like JNU case
B-hampers quality time of students which can be focussed on learning
C-in a long run may make students disrespectful and arrogant
There is need to reconsider recommendation on politics in universities because, we should prepare these students to face any crisis in future and political involvement can help in their character building .
Way forward –
1.check for suspicious elements in campus by ramping up vigil
2.promoting newspaper circulation in libraries along with academic books
3.encourage healthy opinion building among students about various crisis from climate change to refuge deluge
4.inculcate leadership quality lesson by frequent projects emulating real life situations
5.constant interaction with students to address their grievances and minimise friction
Need of the hour is not just preparing a workforce but leaders to guide our nation to prosperous future amid various challenges in the society and a certain amount of political involvement can be of immense help.
