The Hindu : National : Manmohan concerned over report on science

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Thursday, Sep 29, 2005

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National

Manmohan concerned over report on science

Special Correspondent

NCAER study points to shortage of motivated teachers at higher level

— Photo: S. Subramanium

MOMENT OF VICTORY: Winners of the Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar Prize for 2004 with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh in New Delhi on Wednesday.

NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Wednesday asked Central and State agencies responsible for education and science and technology development to take a serious look at a study conducted by the National Council for Applied Economic Research (NCAER). The study has come out with disturbing findings on science.

Releasing the report prepared on behalf of the Indian National Science Academy (INSA), Dr. Singh said it was a matter of serious concern that as much as 20 per cent of science graduates and 14 per cent of Ph.D. holders in science did not find gainful employment and that many employed in science-related jobs were not qualified enough. He said the study had found that there were "grave'' regional imbalances in terms of educational institutions in different States and that while two-thirds of students in classes VI to VIII were satisfied with the quality of science teaching, the proportion fell to 40 per cent in classes XI and XII. This showed there was a shortage of good and motivated science teachers at the higher level, he said.

He asked the Human Resource Ministry and State Governments to take note of the findings. He urged the scientific community to take it as a challenge and increase the quality and quantity of scientific manpower, improve the quality of textbooks and teaching at the school level and make science an exciting discipline and attractive career.

Indian science, he said, should also focus on generating high technology and creating wealth and prestige. It should also ensure that technology improved the lives of the poor. The country faced the challenge of addressing the demands for promoting social equity and requirements for encouraging excellence. These could be achieved and they need not become contradictory or contending objectives. "I believe that at our stage of development, we must learn to walk on two legs, fulfilling both these objectives," he said.

Dr. Singh released the report at a function got up by the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) to present the prestigious Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar prizes to scientists and technologists. He presented the prizes to 21 scientists drawn from various fields.

Congratulating the winners, he said the prizes came with many responsibilities — to continue to engage in the pursuit of good science and to improve the quality of life and widen the span of knowledge.

He presented the CSIR Diamond Jubilee Technology award to Chennai-based Midas Communication Technology for its achievement in the design, development and commercialisation of wireless in local loop (WLL) access system and a range of broadband access products in collaboration with the Telecommunication and Communication Network (TeNet) in IIT, Chennai. The award carries a cash prize of Rs. 10 lakhs, a plaque and a citation.

The Prime Minister said the firm should be applauded as the technologies developed by it could help in connecting rural communities through the Internet and voice connectivity and its products had made inroads into a many developing countries. "I have always believed that India must assume a role of leadership among developing countries. Science and technology can be and should be a powerful tool to achieve this national goal. Therefore, I am happy that these technologies have made inroads among a large number of developing countries."

Reiterates commitment

He reiterated the Government's commitment to basic and applied sciences and to promote excellence. It had already taken several steps to redeem the commitments made at last year's Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar award function to rebuild science base in the universities, de-bureaucratise science and technology institutions, restructure support systems and create career opportunities to retain talent in the sector, he said. "I realise that in a journey of thousand miles, these are just the first small steps. We need to do much more and I promise we will do so.''

He expressed hope that the Knowledge Commission under the chairmanship of Sam Pitroda would come out with bold initiatives to create excellence in research and teaching, especially in mathematics, science and technology. "I do believe that if the 21st century is going to be knowledge century, then it is not military power, nor economic power, but brain power that will determine our place in the comity of nations," he said.

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