There are three news items that propelled me to write this post. And no, this has nothing to do with Panchjanya, the RSS mouthpiece, declaring that JNU is a hub of anti-nationals. Anyway, for a change, the VC has given a befitting reply.
1. I read the first two news items on Nanopolitan. Basically the government is going to give a boost to technology development and has started an IMPRINT program for IISc and IITs. Secondly they are concerned that none of the institutes (meaning IITs and IISc) are amongst the top 100 and therefore, they are going to boost them with 100-500 crore grant.
2. The second news appeared in Scroll.in today regarding the learning versus scoring. With near-perfect scores are our students learning any better? The answer is of course a resounding NO. Just ask any teacher and they will lament how bad the situation has become. The MHRD is worried and therefore, has ordered that the scores should be moderated so that students do not get inflated marks.
The first and second issue are intertwined. The ranking of Universities/Institutes takes multiple parameters into account. Teaching, Research, publication, grants generated.... IITs basically cater to undergraduates though they do have M.Sc and Ph.D. program. However, very rarely do the B.Tech students join for M.Tech or M.Sc at IITs. Usually, undergraduates for universities flock to do M.Tech/M.Sc at IITs. The M.Sc program in Chemistry at IIT Kanpur was considered to be one of the best. IISc does have a selective undergraduate program but they focus more on Ph.D program. Has the MHRD given a thought as to where will the undergraduates and postgraduates for IIT and IISc come from? They are going to come from Central and State Universities and if you do not support these Universities, give them autonomy and ensure that the teaching program improves, how will IITs and IISc become one among the top 100? And extending it further shouldn't the government be paying attention to school education?
And really, by just moderating the marks, they believe that the learning program will improve at school and University level?
I have given up on the hope that the MHRD will someday become sensible. They are simply hopeless.
Oh the icing was the news that the funding for mid-day meal scheme for schools has been slashed. After all if moderation of marks can get the result why bother with mid-day meals for children?
1. I read the first two news items on Nanopolitan. Basically the government is going to give a boost to technology development and has started an IMPRINT program for IISc and IITs. Secondly they are concerned that none of the institutes (meaning IITs and IISc) are amongst the top 100 and therefore, they are going to boost them with 100-500 crore grant.
2. The second news appeared in Scroll.in today regarding the learning versus scoring. With near-perfect scores are our students learning any better? The answer is of course a resounding NO. Just ask any teacher and they will lament how bad the situation has become. The MHRD is worried and therefore, has ordered that the scores should be moderated so that students do not get inflated marks.
The first and second issue are intertwined. The ranking of Universities/Institutes takes multiple parameters into account. Teaching, Research, publication, grants generated.... IITs basically cater to undergraduates though they do have M.Sc and Ph.D. program. However, very rarely do the B.Tech students join for M.Tech or M.Sc at IITs. Usually, undergraduates for universities flock to do M.Tech/M.Sc at IITs. The M.Sc program in Chemistry at IIT Kanpur was considered to be one of the best. IISc does have a selective undergraduate program but they focus more on Ph.D program. Has the MHRD given a thought as to where will the undergraduates and postgraduates for IIT and IISc come from? They are going to come from Central and State Universities and if you do not support these Universities, give them autonomy and ensure that the teaching program improves, how will IITs and IISc become one among the top 100? And extending it further shouldn't the government be paying attention to school education?
And really, by just moderating the marks, they believe that the learning program will improve at school and University level?
I have given up on the hope that the MHRD will someday become sensible. They are simply hopeless.
Oh the icing was the news that the funding for mid-day meal scheme for schools has been slashed. After all if moderation of marks can get the result why bother with mid-day meals for children?
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