Education reforms or just Examination Reforms?

More than thirty five years ago, Nobel laureate Amartya Sen analysed the crisis in Indian education in his Lal Bahadur Shastri Memorial Lectures on the 10th and 11th of March 1970 at Hyderabad. Rather than attributing the crisis in Indian education to the administrative neglect or to thoughtless action, he pointed out that the grave failures in policy making in the field of education require the analysis of the characteristics of the economic and social forces operating in India, and response of public policy to these forces (Sen, 1970). He emphasised that due to the Government’s tendency to formulate educational policies based on public pressure, often wrong policies are pursued. Unfortunately, even today, Government’s education reform policies, seek to achieve arbitrarily set goals that are either elusive or pursued lackadaisically.

For last one year our HRD minister has been talking about reforming ‘education policy in India’, but as it seems today, all his efforts are directed towards reforming the ‘examination policy in India’. He believes and advocates that steps such as ‘grading system’, optional Board exams’, etc. will have the following implications on prevalent education system:

• No stigma of failure with a choice of opting out of annual examination for students.
• Enhanced teacher accountability toward students' performance through formative assessment.
• Making a shift towards school-based reforms.
• Stressing inclusiveness and quality in education.

Though not totally illogical, but it is not difficult to see how farfetched these assumptions are. At best Mr. Sibal’s effort can be described as a small start with every chance to go the wrong way. In fact these steps can prove to be disastrous in future.

Let me explain.

The problem that India faces is of ‘quality’ manpower and not ‘quantity’ manpower. Today, we face the harsh reality of growing unemployment among graduates that co-exist with skill shortages in many areas. While dedicating a public-private partnership initiative at IIT, Delhi on March 20, 2006, the Prime Minister noted the fact that sector after sector India is facing a supply constraint when it comes to skilled, qualified manpower. According to him, this is unacceptable in a country of over a billion people where many are still unemployed or are engaged in low-income activities.

Making examinations easier (or doing away with it altogether) will not help India produce quality scientists, engineers, doctors and academics. It will only increase the number of ‘pass-out’ students.

The problem arises out of the fact we never teach our students to ‘think’. Rather what we learn is ‘how to crack’ exams and get good marks. And after the grading system, it will be simply how to get good grades.

The much publicized Continuous and Comprehensive Evaluation (CCE) system will not test students only on their academics and rather students will be graded on their attitude towards teachers, fellow students, programs organized by the school and their general behavior. Obviously reactions have been generally skeptical, since we all know it’s barely possible for one teacher to keep more than fifty students disciplined. There is every chance that ‘keep your teachers happy’ will become the new mantra for success; not to forget that this system also may lead to bias.

This situation can be prevented only if our HRD minister and schools come up with a scientific/ practical way. But till date we haven’t heard anything on this front. Also, the prevalent education system cannot be reformed unless the quality and style of teaching is improved. If the teachers and their ways remain the same, no policy will work. We need a all-inclusive policy that ensures improvement in the way we teach.

And then comes the higher education.

All the higher education institutions in India (such as IITs, IIMs, Medical Colleges, Universities, etc.) depend on written tests, commonly known as Entrance Examination, to select students for enrollment. Taking these tests require a certain ‘minimum marks’, but the final cut off leverages on the scores earned in these tests. A student who is a product of ‘grade and optional examination system’ cannot be expected to qualify in these entrance examinations as the ‘marking system’ is completely alien to him. Now the question arises – Do our HRD minister and educationists have a plan to tackle this? Will our higher education institutions change their policy accordingly or will continue with their primitive ways?

IITs and IIMs have produced few students who have achieved success in the international arena, but these institutions can never be compared to the best in the world. Plans to establish more AIIMS-like institutions are in pipeline since 90s, but nothing concrete has been done yet. Universities apart from imparting education, does nothing to become centres of research and learning. They still lack dedicated hubs to encourage world-class research along the lines of the research universities abroad. The alarmingly low number of qualified teachers and faculty has crippled our whole education system. No surprise that we are still far away from our dream of becoming a nation of scientists, researchers, intellectuals and academicians.

To sum up, our education system needs a complete overhaul, which requires a more comprehensive and sensible plan. Cosmetic steps will not achieve anything significant except positive media coverage for our HRD minister.

Yeh Mera India II

Taj at Dusk
Honestly speaking, when I first looked at Taj I didn't find it so great. I mean...it was beautiful and photogenic but I wasn't too impressed. It was only after I spent some time, I got to feel the ambience...it was so overwhelming ! (Another reason might be that sun was setting and air much cooler compared to the afternoon). And then I started clicking...
Now looking at the result of my hardwork, I am impressed. :) I believe I have done a good job with my not-so-good camera.
Sharing few pics with you all. I welcome your feedback and comments.

Yeh Mera India I

Kolkata in Rains

I just happened to be in Kolkata this week...and guess what...it was water all over....Kolkata looked more like an Indian version of Venice....with people going on with their daily routine without bothering about the weather....I must say it is definately a City of Joy.

Yeh Dilli Hai Meri Jaan VII

Lest We Forget

As the whole nation celebrates our 62nd Independence Day, talking about achievements and accomplishments of INDIA, let not forget a BHARAT that remains so visible, impoverished and disconnected with INDIA.

These photographs were taken while me and Anjali (my friend and classmate) were working on a photography project.

1. Inside Jamia Campus

2. Near New Friends Colony CC

3. In Lutyens Delhi

4. Near Friends Colony

5. Near India Gate

6. Near Jamia Nagar

7. Near Jamia Campus

Ye Dilli Hai Meri Jaan VI

Luxury On Three Wheels

Baldev Raj's might not be another Palace on Wheels, but a ride in his autorickshaw is definately a memorable experience. For, with TV, telephone, newspaper, fan and cold-water facilities, this is perhaps the only luxury auto rickshaw in this country, and possibly in the world. "I do not charge any extra for these facilities", says Raj who insists on going only by meter.

Every city has uniqueness about its public transport facilities. The yellow cabs define the New York City and red double deckers are a symbol for London. Our own Mumbai is known for the Fiat taxis and Delhi means auto rickshaws coloured in yellow and green. Among thousands of such auto rickshaws that add to the lifeline of Delhi’s public transport, there is one that stands apart- Baldev Raj's Deluxe Auto.

This is the one and only luxury auto that runs in Delhi, is honored by the minister and written about in the newspapers. It has a TV, a phone line, first aid kit, cold drinking water and also a CD player. You could even watch a movie! A fan, a huge mirror, wall clock and daily newspapers. And top of it all, he offers 10% discount to senior citizens and is available on calls.

Apart from the facilities, a lot of detailing has gone into doing up the vehicle's interior: Curtains, little soft pillows, artificial flowers and even media reports on the luxury vehicle are on display.
So how did he think about this idea? “I just wanted to do it in a style different from others”, he says. “I thought of providing some facilities to my passengers so that they could remember their journey in my auto. I thought that providing cold drinking water to passengers traveling in the heat of Delhi is the most important thing. Later I added newspaper as I have seen many passengers reading newspapers while traveling to pass their time. Gradually I included other things like CD players and fan for their comfort”, adds Baldev.

He also allows his passengers one free telephone call during every ride. “I do not charge any money for taking people to hospitals”, says Baldev emphasizing the need to understand social responsibility.

But is it economically viable for him to provide all these facilities without any extra charge? "The rates fixed by the government is absolutely fine and there is no question of running on loss. Also, contrary to public perception, maintenance does not cost much," says Baldev.

Baldev Raj is a tailor by profession and now his wife manages the shop. Father of a son and daughter, all the earnings from his driving goes towards his savings.

About future plans, Baldev has a lot to say. “I am planning to get glass doors and windows for my auto rickshaw so that I can make it air conditioned. I will do whatever it takes to make people’s journey in my auto comfortable.”

In a city where autorickshaw drivers are known for charging more and refusing to go by meter, Baldev Raj is an exception. "Delhi gets a lot of visitors from outside and I have heard many complaints about fleecing against the city's auto drivers. I want to change my fraternity's reputation in whichever little way I can. People should go back and say good things about us," says he.

He only wishes Delhi to be a better and safer place to live in. With so much of selfishness and shallow people occupying this place, he is the one who has taken charge and does his bit to contribute to the well being of society.

Perhaps he is the man who still believes in sanctity of service and purity of heart.

Ye Dilli Hai Meri Jaan V

A Train Journey Back in Time

Ferrying passengers, freight and mail from one place to another, the railways have served as one of the most important symbols of India. Started in 1853, Indian railways have served as a lifeline for more than 150 years in India. In 1947 at the time of independence there were over 3,000 steam engines under operation, the largest fleet in the world. Today, with the arrival of electric engines, only a handful of those are left. The rest, they say is history. And this history is carefully preserved in the National Rail Museum in Delhi, which has some of the oldest and the only engines in the world.

National Rail Museum in Delhi is the focus of India’s vast and significant Rail Heritage, spanning over more than 150 years. Formally inaugurated in February 1977, this is one of its kind museums in Asia having an interesting collection of history, heritage, romance and nostalgia. It has a collection of some of the most unique types of locomotives, royal coaches, wagons etc.

The ‘Gadar’ Engine-WP series
This is the steam engine that all cinema goers are familiar with. Used in films like ‘Gadar’, ‘Rang De Basanti’, etc. it is a favorite of filmmakers in India. Once during one of my visits at the museum, D.S. Hanspal, head of the archives department of the museum told us, “Any film maker who is making a period film hires this steam engine for shooting. It is in perfect running condition.”

Built in 1947, these locomotives were the main stay of Broad Gauge passenger train operations on the Indian Railways for a very long time till 1995 when they finally retired.

Mr. Hanspal also revealed a trivia about the engine, “for shooting of the film ‘Gadar’, the engine was hauled from Delhi to Amritsar by a diesel locomotive. After arriving at Amritsar the steam engine had to be activated. The steam engine was in running condition but was not strong enough for long runs. However during the shooting of the climax the front part of the engine was damaged and one can see this in the film.”

The Fairy Queen
Certified by Guinness Book of World Records, this prize exhibit is the oldest preserved and working steam locomotive in the world. This is the first exhibit to be brought to this museum at the time of laying the foundations in 1971.

Built in 1855, this locomotive also hauled troop trains to Raniganj during the famous 1857 War of Independence. It served Indian Railways till 1908. With the initiative of Ministry of Railways and Ministry of Tourism, it rolled again on February 1,1997.

Currently serving as a heritage train for tourists, it runs from Delhi to Alwar. This over whelming journey includes the tour of the picturesque town of Alwar and Sariska Forest Reserve.

Mono Rail
Running on a single track, it is the only one of its kind in the world. Built in 1907, it was used in the State of Patiala. The track was a single rail along one side of the road. On this ran the load carrying wheels of the train while a large single wheel at the end of an outrigger ran on the road to keep the train upright.

Mr. Hanspal narrated the story to us, “Maharaja of Patiala loved to collect unique items. Once when he went to Germany, he saw this monorail and got it for his Palace. In the beginning he used it in the big garden of his palace. Later the public urged him to allow it for common people too as it belonged not only to the Maharaja but also to the people of the state.”

Col. Bowles who designed this system became the state engineer and laid the Patiala State Monorail Trainways. It was about 50 miles in length from Sirhind to Alampura and Patiala to Bhavnanigarh.

Saloon of Prince of Wales
This four-wheeler saloon was one of the most luxurious saloons during its time. It was built specially for the Prince of Wales (later King Edward VII) during his visit to India for the Royal Durbar of 1876. This milky white saloon has seats for four armed guards, outside two on each side of the coach and has sunshades on both sides. Two emblems representing the British Crown are painted on the sides. Built in 1875, all its fittings and furnishings are intact.

Saloon of Maharaja of Mysore
Considered as an engineering marvel, this specially engineered saloon shows the expertise of the Bangalore workshop of Mysore State Railways. Built in 1900, this coach could be run on both broad gauge (5’6”) as well as metre gauge (1 metre). It is possibly the only one of its kind in the world.

This saloon was a part of a special three-coach train used by Maharaja Krishan Rao Wodeyur of Mysore. The other two coaches were, namely, the Maharani’s coach and a dining cum kitchen car. The furnishings, beautiful floral pattern paintings on ceiling and brass fenced ‘Verandah’ gives a taste of the glory of those days.

Some Other Wonders
Beside these, there are some other wonders too which can be found only in this museum. On one side there is the tiny ‘Hasang’, which is the world’s smallest steam engine ever used, running on a two feet gauge. On the other hand there is ‘Garatt’, the heaviest and most powerful steam engine ever used. There is a small elegant ‘Rail Car’ with a sitting capacity of six people and then there are the gigantic HP Class engines with the wheel measuring 6.5 feet in diameter. This museum can definitely boast of the best samples of railway engineering in the world.

Ye Dilli Hai Meri Jaan IV

A ray of light for the blind

Meeting Prof. Vinod Sena has been one of the most memorable experiences of my life. I met him nearly three years ago when I was a journalist and was doing a feature on his initiative – Shruti Audio Book Service (SABS). He has been working endlessly since over a decade to provide audio books for the blind. Investing a considerable amount of his time and income, he is aiming to bring light to the dark world of visually impaired persons.

Print media by its very nature is inaccessible to those with serious visual impairment or for those suffering from dyslexia. SABS is a pilot project based in the Delhi University and was started in 1998 by three colleges, namely Lady Shri Ram, Hindu, and Gargi. The project intends to develop a national library service for people with visual disabilities.

Prof. Vinod Sena of Delhi University's English department deserves a major part of the credit in helping the project take off. Introduced to "audio books" by a blind student 15 years ago, he has been trying to provide a similar educational tool for the blind in our country and is now investing a considerable amount of his time and income on creating a National Library Service for the Visually Challenged.

What makes him appreciate the project more is the fact that as a child a primary vaccination to smallpox affected his own vision, making it tough for him to read the fine print. His becoming a professor goes to the credit of his parents who did all they could to help him complete his education. His sisters and parents used to read out books to him, which Prof. Sena with a sharp mind grasped well.

With the help from his fellow students and family, Prof. Sena always had a strong academic career. He was a topper in his school (DPS Mathura road) and later stood first in M.A. English from the University of Delhi in 1957. Ten years later, he got his doctorate on T.S. Eliot as a playwright from the University of Delhi and a second doctorate from the University of Cambridge on W.B. Yeats as a Literary Critic in 1970.

He was on the staff of St. Stephens College, Delhi from 1961 to 69 and joined the English department of Delhi University in 1970. He became a professor in 1983. During this period, he wrote many books, and has contributed a large number of articles to scholarly journals. His outstanding career also boasts of many awards including National Lecturer, UGC in 1986-87.

Having been a student of literature Prof. Sena knows only too well how frustrating a visual handicap can be and says that he could never read as much as he wanted to. He doesn't want this to be the fate of the millions of other people with optical problems.

His idea to help others materialised in the mid 80s with his introduction to audio books. Since then he has wanted to provide a nationwide audio book service not just to assist the education of the visually impaired but also to help them stay in touch with their reading after finishing their education.

The first step in this direction was taken in the late 90s when an Audio Book Resource Centre was commissioned at the Central Reference Library of Delhi University. Billed as the first of its kind within the country's university system, the Audio Book Service is a dream come true.

Audio books, also referred to as talking or speaking books, are recorded instead of being printed. These books reinstate oral tradition and thanks to modern technology can be replicated as many times over as needed.

A die hard optimist, Prof. Sena refused to give up despite his proposals for a pilot project being turned down. Waging a lone battle, he went about collecting material for a library. Traveling through out the country and also with the help of some of his friends abroad, he has been successful in collecting about 1000 books for his own library.

“The problem with audio books is that they are not sold in the market. The libraries in the west give such books on rent. But in India, because of high cost of production, not many books are available”, says Prof. Sena. After realizing the shortage of audio books, Prof. Sena himself started production of such audio books. But making of one such book costs around Rs. 8000-10,000 and because of lack of adequate funds; he hasn’t been able to do as much as he wanted.

Till now, Hindi, English and Political Science books have been recorded by a small batch of dedicated volunteers at a makeshift studio of Prof. Sena. With time, he plans to record books on other subjects falling within the fold of Humanities and Social Science, but only after adequately covering these three subjects.

As for science and mathematics, he says, " These subjects do not lend themselves well to the audio format". Also, long articles on various subjects including current affairs and developments in medicine have been recorded.

What makes audio books particularly useful, according to Prof. Sena, is the fact that these can be used not only by people who are completely blind but also by those with low-vision problems, those who lose their sight at a late age due to an accident and by people who suffer from learning disabilities like dyslexia. Such people seldom learn Braille and they have little or no access to reading material.

“In India we often see old people sitting in front of television as they do not have any other option for pastime. This is because their eyesight gets weak at late age and they find it hard reading a book with normal fonts sizes. In India we do not have concept of special books with large fonts for persons with weak eyesight. Even for such people, audio books may prove beneficial”, he says.

To a question on the use of audio books in the age of computers, Prof Sena's answer is that the synthesized sound of the computer is no substitute for the human voice. " It takes away the joy of a literary work whereas the human voice enhances the pleasure of reading."

While volunteers are welcome to lend their voice to books, a voice test is mandatory to ensure clarity. " It is equally important that the reader stops at the right place, otherwise the import of what is being read will be different than the printed word. Accent is no problem as long as the diction is clear," says Prof. Sena.

Project SABS envisages four components the first of which is the Shruti Information Centre or SIC. This will serve as a data bank and cover all the information regarding audio books and Braille books produced all over India. SIC is already on the Internet and is planning to develop a website soon.

The second part of the project is the recording unit. The recording of audio books is time intensive and the recording has to be of a high technical quality to enable its crisp reproduction for library use.

Thirdly SABS plans to set up Audio Book Libraries (ABL) at the Braille Library and at the four undergraduate libraries of the Delhi University which are located in different parts of the capital so as to make them easily accessible to all those in need as travel is not a simple task for the visually handicapped.

And last of all the Electronic Media Centre (EMC) is going to be set up which will speedily convert print media into electronic text.

But this is not all about Prof. Sena. In 1995, he started Yashoda Charitable Trust, which give scholarships to visually handicapped students. Currently this trust gives scholarships in 2 colleges and one school.

India is a country that has a population of more than one billion. With a conservative estimate of twelve million blind and at least as many with low vision problems, the country needs desperately to find a key to this dilemma.

Perhaps the answer lies in a project like SABS, which without questioning the importance and the relevance of Braille, aim at developing a service based totally on audio books and represents an option that has been sadly neglected in our country.

After all, no nation can deny the visually impaired their basic human right access to knowledge, information and empowerment.