The Hindu : Technology can only aid teaching: expert

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Sunday, Mar 21, 2004

Karnataka

Karnataka

Technology can only aid teaching: expert

By Our Staff Reporter

BANGALORE, MARCH 20. Technology was meant to improve teaching and not replace teachers, experts at a workshop on teachers' education said here on Friday.

The Vice-Chairman of the University Grants Commission, V.N. Rajasekharan Pillai, said technology was only "a means to enhance teachers' levels of empowerment; technology, by itself, cannot teach," he said at the valedictory session of a three-day `National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC)-Commonwealth of Learning (COL) Round-table on Innovations in Teacher Education: International Practices of Quality Assurance.'

Prof. Pillai, a former NAAC Director, said India had to face the "ground realities" and "understand the diverse nature of the education system." Why were there "stark differences" in the quality of education "from State to State, university to university?" For that matter, why were there no specific programmes for middle school teachers when there existed programmes for teachers at the primary and higher education levels? he asked.

Another problem was shortage of teachers. "At present, there are some 30 lakh teachers, but in the next two or three years we will need 40 lakh teachers." The problem was compounded by the existence of "para" teachers who were not trained. "Rajasthan, for example, has two lakh `para' teachers." How could organisations such as the National Council for Teachers' Education (NCTE) integrate open and distance learning systems into such a situation, he wondered.

In developed countries, "primary school teachers are most sought after. But here, the NCTE has recognised fewer than 100 pre-primary teachers' educational institutions. How can you expect a step-wise upgradation in the system then?" he asked.

He believed the education system had deteriorated because "we emphasise examinations and marks."

"Use technology to improve the examination system," he said.

Prof. Pillai released a book titled "Quality Enhancement in Teacher Education."

Shardindu, Chairperson of the NCTE, stressed on a holistic view. Self-appraisal formed the "backbone of the teachers' training programmes," he said.

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Karnataka