With one third of its population still under illiteracy after 60 years of independence ..finally India Inc has geared up itself to revolutionize its education system . The problem here is whether India is fully geared up to take up the task. The govt has finally took the first step to bring in laws that would make the education for kids from 7 -14 free and compulsory but wht we need is solid infrastructure with the laws to ensure the success of its reforms. when it has come out with the right to education act many states for example Andra pradesh were baffled as to how to carry out this herculean task . Coz according to the act there were 40 laks kids comin under the act and out of which the state govt is responsible to sent 10 lak kids to private schools which the state says is jus impossible as the funds are yet to be allocated and there is no clear cut prototype on it.Thus, inadequate funds and lack of qualified teachin profs would hinder the implementation.
Although India's higher education has got 13 million students it educates a meager 12 % of the age group while even China has 27 %. Now, india opens up the doors for foreign universities to set up in India.This has got its own difficulties . Firstly , a whopping $ 11 million to be paid by the foreign institute to the govt as entry fee. Only tym can tell us hw many of the prestigious institutions are ready to test the waters. Lets assume that new institutes wud bring in new ideas on higher education management, curriculum, teaching methods, and research methods, but university go for a very tried and true management methodology in its branch campuses. Branch campuses are fairly small and specialised to one specific field. Furhtermore, they gotto deal with the impenetretable and the corrupt indian burreaucracy. And the schemes for the economically backward sector to enter into these ellite institutions is yet to be chalked out.
I dont think these two would bring in radical change in the education system at least in the near future. Those who wudnt be makin it across to the foreign insitution and are fascinated by that institution would prefer this . But still students who really wanna research would always prefer a MIT in US rather than one springin up in India ...be it for the ambience, be it for the peer competition that u encounter or for the global exposure.
Ideally speaking, these institutions gotto show us sumthin which our govt cudnt do all these years ..give the quality education to the most deserving candidates that encourages the kids to take new path n make the nation proud .I think reservation shudnt be given on the caste basis but to those who have the passion,talent and zeal but cudnot afford it.Whtevr, all the voices that been sayin that the Indian Education System need to be changed are heard now. The govt has at least got taken an initiative on it. Change is always welcome !!
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