IT is great that the Cockroach Janta Party’s (CJP) Jantar Mantar protest in New Delhi could end on a note that sent back thousands of jubilant protesters to their homes and brought relief to millions of supporters and sympathisers. Another great source of relief for a very large number of admirers was that the fast of the educationist, innovator and activist Sonam Wangchuk could end after receiving several assurances from senior government representatives.
In the course of this protest, the issue of much-needed educational reforms was very much in the news and one hopes that vital reforms in this sector will continue to receive utmost attention. It is hoped that this is true not just for the reforms highlighted by this movement but, in addition, also for other reforms of great value that could not get the desired attention.
The reform, which was emphasised the most and, in fact, started the movement, relates to the pressing need for improving the conduct of examinations and specifically for preventing the possibility of leak of question papers. While the most immediate anger related to the leak of medical entrance exam or NEET papers this year, which affected millions of hard-working students and family members, the anger was building up over the years due to several leaks in the conduct of various exams. According to an investigation by a leading Hindi newspaper Dainik Bhaskar (July 26), as many as 116 paper leaks are reported to have taken place during the period 2014-26, affecting 7.5 crore (75 million) examinees. The newspaper investigation says that ‘paper mafias’ spread over 19 states were involved in these leaks. Eight recruitment exams, including those involving the selection of scientists, had to be cancelled and then held again. The recruitment for about three lakh government jobs was held up due to these paper leaks and the related complications.
Keeping in view the accumulating anger and frustration over the issue, it is not surprising that this hogged the limelight and the government announced a package of what appeared to many to be strong steps for reforming the conduct of examinations and preventing paper leaks.
However, some argue that while preventing paper leaks is very important, it is equally important to also emphasise the more crucial issue of reforming the entire examination system; in fact, the entire educational system comprehensively. This is the view taken by the 10-point ‘structural reforms’ proposed by Sonam Wangchuk which were articulated very well at the time of his fast by his wife and fellow-activist Gitanjali Angmo.
In my article published during the protest and Wangchuk’s fast, I had appealed to the activist to give up his fast. I had argued for the centrality of these wider educational reforms, instead of just emphasizing resignation or related issues. These reforms include reform of examination system and moving from rote based learning and memorisation to more creative education, dismantling coaching culture, better training of teachers and more respect for them, more emphasis on improving government schools, allocation of more resources and higher budgets for education, filling up vacancies, better integration of education with society’s needs, increased transparency and creating consensus on reforms so that these can continue regardless of election cycles.
Hardly anyone involved with educational reforms will disagree with any of these suggestions. However, some important additions need to be incorporated so that educational reform can link up even better with the most pressing needs of society. The most important of them, not just in India but across the globe, are to evolve a path based on justice and equality, peace and non-violence, protection of the environment and all forms of life, as well as increasing thoughtfulness and togetherness. This is best realised based on value systems linked to these objectives and the incorporation of these precepts and values in the education system at various levels. Further, the education system should lead the growing children and youth to realise in creative ways, without creating fear or pessimism, the seriousness of the planetary threats and how we all need to be more responsible, creative and united to contribute to innovative solutions in interesting ways.
It is this wider reform that is probably the most important and yet has been badly neglected.
As Generation Z has been more in the news in the context of educational reforms, the issues relating to the younger children have not received the same attention. I think it is very important to raise their issues as they often suffer in silence while they are overburdened, bullied, or entirely avoidable stress is inflicted on them at a tender age.
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Bharat Dogra writes extensively on environment, development and welfare issues. The views expressed here are the writer’s own, and Clarion India does not necessarily subscribe to them. He can be reached at:[email protected]
