The Hindu : Opinion / Letters to the Editor : Sibal’s agenda

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Monday, Jun 29, 2009
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Opinion - Letters to the Editor

Sibal’s agenda

Human Resource Development Minister Kapil Sibal’s agenda for 100 days — replacing existing institutions such as the UGC, the AICTE and the MCI with a new set of institutions — is not going to help improve the standard of education. What is needed is a thorough overhaul of the system and not piecemeal tinkering to score brownie points. The education sector has suffered a lot because of frequent changes brought about without ascertaining the views of the stake-holders — teachers, parents and students.

V. Padmanabhan,

Bangalore

* * *

The proposal to have a single system for the whole country is a bold step but there may be objections because States offer what their people want and not what is best suited for the country.

V. Kumar,

Ganapathipuram

The HRD Ministry’s proposal on making Class X examinations optional will in no way reduce the pressure on students as one has to appear for an examination one day or the other.

As education is on the Concurrent List, the Minister should have consulted the States before announcing his plans.

B.S. Raghavendra Rao,

Bangalore

* * *

The Class X examination is more about controlling a candidate than evaluating his performance. The changes proposed by the Minister are heartening.

Mhrd. Sisir Akkiraju,

Hyderbad

* * *

Kudos to the HRD Ministry for coming up with the proposal to make the Class X examinations optional. The examinations just test the memory power of students and not their confidence or personality or attitude. With this reform, they can be taught the ethics of life and the value of people, time and money. I agree with the Ministry’s idea and it will truly be a new beginning in our education system.

Thiagarajan. B,

Coimbatore

The rationale behind having State-level boards is for catering to the needs of children from divergent socio-economic and cultural backgrounds. Secondly, it is within the jurisdiction of the State governments to have or not to have Class X board examinations.

B.H. Shanmukhappa,

Davanagere

* * *

In the light of Mr. Sibal’s proposals, one hopes the system of compulsory attendance would also be reviewed as the attendance certificate is linked with admission to examinations. In the absence of examinations, insistence on attendance seems superfluous. In many countries, there is no compulsory attendance. Exceptionally brilliant students preparing for advanced courses will have more time to pursue their goals. Average and below-average students may need help and they can attend classes.

K. Panchapagesan,

Chennai

* * *

The move will make students indifferent to studies and even give scope to private institutions to resort to malpractices in their internal assessment tests. The pressure children are under can be traced to heavy syllabus, a heap of books, lack of guidance and the attitude of parents who set big targets. It is a matter of regret that the HRD Ministry has found a ‘panacea.’

K. Saibaba,

Secundrabad

* * *

Examinations are conducted to assess the behavioural changes that a student has achieved during the curriculum transaction. It shows one’s position among peers. It will be foolish to make an important examination optional. If demand for making Class X examination optional is conceded now, will a similar demand for Class XII be far behind?

The solution is to train the students to boldly face the assessment. Education should inculcate problem solving skills in children at a young age.

Smitha J.M,

Thiruvananthapuram

* * *

Over 90 per cent of the student community in India will not take the Class X board examinations seriously if made optional. Just the other day U.S. President Barack Obama remarked that Indian and Chinese students spent more time in school compared to the average American student and hence were more intelligent. The Sibal proposals, if enforced, will significantly bring down the standard of our education. If a student is not trained to work under a little pressure in Class X then there is a high possibility that he will succumb to the pressure in Class XII. A number of students change schools after finishing X grade. An internal assessment report cannot be used to judge a student.

Sarah John,

Kochi

* * *

The Right to Education Bill is a welcome move but how does one justify bracketing only children in the 6-14 years category for free and compulsory education? India is a signatory to the United Nations’ Convention on the Rights of the Child which recognises the child as a person below 18 years old. The Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection Act) of 2000 and the Child Marriage Abolition Act of 2006 have also defined the child as a person who has not completed 18 years. When the Central government limits its law to a small category of children, it obviously commits a violation of not only the international treaty, but also the recent domestic laws. There are millions of children below six who are in need of early education and care. However, the new bill has pushed them out of its purview. Hope Mr. Sibal sees the consequences of his hurried action.

P.P. Baburaj,

Mysore

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