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Any idea of a fundamental right to conversion in
the name of freedom of religion will badly hurt India’s secular fabric.”
Critically comment.
"Giving up all religion, surrender thyself to Me only" -Geeta
Chapter 18, verse 65.
Religion is a path to God, as it has been defined by many in past. Every
religion is of the opinion that God is infinite and yet some ironically assume
that God can be limited by religion. Every religion preaches non-violence and
still there had been people who shed blood on the name of religion, jihad and
crusade being a painful example. Yet the humanity has sustained these blows,
and the reason are those people who have believed in religion of humanity.
Secularism as we call it today, where we treat all religion equally
regardless of the religion we personally follow. This secularism and and mutual
respect for religions is the reason that we still see a peaceful civilization
as a whole that did not succumbed to the fire of fanaticism that has long
haunted humanity.
History of Secularism in India:
In India Christians were there before British and Muslim before sultans, even
Persian seek refuge in India when deprived of their land and Hinduism, Buddhism
and Jainism lived together since millenias. There has been religious conflicts
no doubt, but that do not blemish the image of country where people have long
followed their path fearlessly. From the time before Mauryans to Akbar, people
of all religion were patronized. Even Auranzeb who is accused of bigotry by
many historians, he too destroyed those temple that served as refuge for
rebellion and harmed no temple in Golkunda campaign. Hence even though one can
say him partial toward islam but his case of bigotry is also debatable. Then
came brief feudalism followed by British rule. Even in the time of British,
there was communal harmony till 1880s. Syed Ahmad Khan, undoubtedly one of the
outstanding Indian of 19th century, said "do you not inhibit this
land?" "Surely you live and die on the same land. Remember that Hindu
and Muslims are religious terms. Otherwise hindus, muslims and christians who
live in this country are by virtue of this fact one quam (nation or
community)".
British realized this unity of India. And hence to weaken the Indians, used
the policy of divide and rule. Factory Act, 1951 was used for communal
economics. British historians divided the Indian history phase into hindu,
muslim and British (and why not, hindu, muslim and christian?). Their method
worked. In the coming years, Muslim League was formed and Muhammad Ali Jinnah
who was a liberal when joined congress, soon influenced by British political
policies and got involved in struggle of personal power.
In these times Gandhiji came to India for whom all religions and castes were
same and soon he had both hindus and muslims rallied behind him. He single
handedly fought the communal frenzy-'a one man boundary force' as Mountbatten
called him. He very much won his battle up until 1937 when muslim league lost
the election even on muslim reserved seats. It dawned on M. A. Jinnah that even
if they win these election, his party, because of its ideologies will always be
in minority and that is when driven by personal interests, he preached the idea
of 'islam in danger'. The result 10 year latre, was partition of India and
nationwide riots.
Gandhiji, it is said went into inactivity in that phase, but in reality, the
masses were not listening to him and his life was sacrificed on the altar of
communalism. Long life he preached secularism and the image of India as secular
country that he left behind was widely accepted by world. His disciples decided
to follow the same path.
Our Constitution and Religion After Independence:
"Cry of religion is a dangerous cry". "It denominates, it
divides, and encamps people to warring ways." -Loknath Mishra, in
costituent assembly debates, on inclusion of "right to propagate"
one's religion.
Currenly, the Constitution of India guarantees, "Freedom of conscience
and free profession, practice and propagation of religion" to all persons.
-Article 25. But this article does not "grant the right to convert other
person's to one's own religion, but to transmit or one's own religion by an
exposition of its tenets" as "what is freedom for the one is freedom
for the other in equal measure and there can, therefore, be no such thing as
fundamental right to convert any person to one's own religion" -Supreme
Court of India in Rev. Stainislaus Versus state of M.P. case. This explains how
and why Indian lawmakers and judiciary is against the right to convert and such
provision would also lead to forceful conversion and violence.
In past there had bee dispute over christian missionaries and in recent
times, over a campaign 'ghar vaapsi' about forceful conversion to hinduism.
Forceful conversion is banned by many state and if a right to convert is
included, that right would be for everyone, inevitably leading to frequent
religious conflicts between religious fanatics and even if matters are settled
by judiciay, it would inevitably lead to arguments of partialty against one religion
and favouring another. Such dispute will slowly crumble the India's image of
secularism and Indian judiciary.
It would not be blow on secular image of India alone, it would be blow for
all of us, because, "we the people of India, having solemnly resolved to
constitute India into a sovereign socialist secular democratic republic...
hereby adopt, enact and give ourselves to this constitution."
“One man’s trash
is another man’s treasure.”
Annihilation is the juncture
of germination. Autumn sheds its leaves but summer spring comes with new
leaves. Flood comes but leaves to be traced a long greenery in future with
silted land.
Trash denotes scar or defeat of one.
But connotatively it can be directed to the vices of one's personality. In
positive sense; it can be said that where hopes end there hopes begin. In
philosophical sense; it can be imperative that defeat transforms one's mind
into a new entity unswayed by general virtues and vices being steadfast to a
determined goal. So trash of one's is the treasure of another appears with
different interpretations.
History shows that trash of French
king with utmost privileges giving back to common people becomes treasure for
another jacobian leader. The trash that US president once used to train muslim
jihadist for her own sake now turns to terrorist leaders as treasure to
initiate violence. Greediness; blind use of power; utter individualist thinking
spurs the germination of vices in one's mind. It inspires them to do something
vile. Thus they tarnish themselves and their trash in character thus proves
treasure to another opportunist.
Mythological instances shows that
trash of duryodhan or kaurav becomes treasure to pandav. Trash comes to
one's character from haphazardness; indecisive action. Trash created by extreme
emotion proved fatal to the magnificent city Troy. Trash comes from extreme
desire that challemges law of nature. "Achilles heel " shows how
mother of Achilles in an attempt to make him immortal makes his heel vulnerable
while not touching his heel unconsciously in styx river with the help of whose
vulnerability he was killed in Trojan war.
In indian freedom struggle; gandhi
was utterly conscious about this. He never let come trash to anyone because he
knew about its fundamental flaw. The flaw of trash gives red carpet to the
enemy to be pattered. Whenever any violence occurred gandhi immediately
criticised it. It is the reason why gandhi did not support extremist thinking
because he was aware about the fatal blow of its trash .
In political career ; trash has very
dangerous effects. A little bit trash in one's personality might lead to
downfall in his whole political career. Corruption is the noted evidence of
trash in many politicians at present time with the help of which they have
invited their ending of career and this golden treasure is grabbed by another
opposition candidate and thus terminates career of the former within one night.
Story of jataka says that when once
buddha went out for alms he was retributed by an alms giver. Then buddha asked
him if one does not accept gift given by another what will happen ; in reply
the latter says that it will be left to the person who offered it. After that
buddha told him that whatever he had given to buddha all were left to him. Thus
connotatively trash turns into boon or treasure for another. To err is human
mercy is divine. If one has the tolerance to accept err done by another and
makes the latter understand about his fault it will transform both of them
spiritually.
At the present world of competition;
everybody should be cautious about his weakness. His weakness or little bit of
trash might push him backward. In the era of globalization; the whole world
becomes very competitive. Suffice it to say that here survival of the fittest
is the best policy. So one should put his every step very carefully that no one
find any crack in him to grab as treasure.
In this emerging 21st century a
clean ; transport diplomacy is very necessary for a country . Respecting to
international norms; human dignity; environmental law occupies utmost important
for a country.
Violating international provision like human right ; nuclear norms by the head
of a country might inspire the another head of the country who strategically
wants to dominate the former. Any incongruity in ocean policy by the head of
india might turn to treasure for another strategic head that is china.
Civil servants in government
machinery should be very careful about transparancy in everyday life. One trash
in their personality due to any hasty decision or other inherent human vices
might poses threat to them whose opportunity will be grabbed by his rival civil
servant.
In economy; one trash in transaction
might lead to whole breakdown. One carelessness in policy direction and
execution of company by the managing head will bring scar to its production and
another rival company will grab it. In case of services related with public
health a managing director of a company should be very careful. The same is
applicable to the economic policy of a country also.
But trash given by someone
intentionally is antisocial and gruesome . it might destry one's innocent
life. The growing concerns like acid attack; rape; killing of girl foeticide ;
child marrige ; communal disharmony harms the basic structure of society.
But if spirit and determination
alives such trash cant harm. It was that gandhi who was thrown out of train due
to his black colour. Many acid attack victims
In india defying the social stigma establishes themselves in society. Arunima
sinha the amputee is planning to climb Everest. So; though trash created by
one's own fault invites destruction to one's life; trash intentionally given to
another with criminal mind can never defeat anyone.
‘Education for All’ Policy in
India – Challenges, Loopholes and Prospects
The
roadmap of India’s education policy theoretically represented egalitarian
nature and universal access to all since Independence. The government policy
widely concentrated on making availability of such education system which can
reach to every individual and society. However, the constitutional arrangements
made by its maker and later by its users gave utmost care to establish a
mechanism to reach education for all. In this direction, the governments' move
to recognize primary education as a fundamental right and Right to Education
(RTE) brought progressive arrangements for making education for all. In
addition, there were numbers of missions and programmes have been implemented
by the government at central level and state level. In reality, such initiatives
have influenced the customary rights of some sections and made education
inclusive. For example, Srav Saksharat Abhiyan (SSA), Mid-day Meal Scheme,
Kasturba Gandhi Schools by the central government and other schemes of various
states have largely focused upon making education for all.
It is
obviously true that the government as per own capability and resources has
attempted to make education inclusive and accessible to all without any
discrimination. But, the intent of the government didn't fully materialized due
to certain challenges which were thoroughly responsible for inaccessible and
exclusionary education system running on the land of Bharat.
The
challenges of education system which are greatly remained obstacles to achieve
objectives of education for all may be divided into:
A..
Infrastructural Challenges
B.
Institutional Challenges
C.
Challenges within society
D.
Challenges from Society
A. The
Infrastructural Challenges: such challenges are basically emanate from lack of
funding, mismanagement of resources, inefficient resource mobilization and
allocation, unaccountable bureaucracy etc.. Such challenges pose the following
issues:
1. Lack
of School Buildings: There are numbers of schools have been going without
proper school building or debilitated school buildings. Such schools largely
fail to attract attention of students itself and their parents. In addition,
the concerned school staff also feel discouraged to teach there and on
consequent it result in there large scale absenteeism .
2. Lack
of Infrastructural facilities : In those school we have buildings but the major
lacunas are absence of playground for students, single or no toilets, no
laboratory for development of scientific tempers of students and et al. All
these effect students psychologically as well as physically.
3.
Connectivity issue: There are number of schools running in remote areas without
having proper means of connectivity. Students have to walk on 2-3 miles for
attending classes. However, many state government have launched many schemes
for students to attend schools by providing them cycles. But in rainy seasons
such students face greater difficulty.
4.
Isolationist approach: Those schools are running deep into tribal areas are
remained isolated due to approach of bureaucracy having fear of red insurgents.
Due to this, large number of tribal people are away from streamlined education
system despite making favourable constitutional arrangements. Such geological
issues not be taken seriously instead the funds made for these schools were
looted by elite or power grabber.
B.
Institutional Challenges: Such challenges results from policy issues which can
be substantiated as:
1.
Accountability Issue: The most of the government teachers are interested in
evading own accountability by raising number of complaints against state
apparatus and its functions. This erosion in accountability comes largely due
to teacher-politic-bureaucracy nexus. This nexus underlined own accountability
only to earn high money to fulfil own needs rather to fulfil social demands. We
urgently require, an index determining accountability of the teachers to stop
growing gulf between preferences to private schools and negligent attitude to
the public schools.
2.
Recruitment process and calibre of Teachers: Due to financial causes, the most
of the states are forced to depend on Para-teachers as they are contractual
teachers and ready to serve schools at low pay. Such teachers immensely lack in
teaching methodology, unknown pedagogy, inefficient class room management, attention
on weak learners etc. However, if the Para teachers are being viable
alternatives, it must be needed to make a proper arrangements for their
comprehensive teachers training, appraisal of their performances at various
levels and making their recruitment process more transparent.
3.
Mentality of Low salaried and high salaried teacher: The Para-teachers are
recent innovation in teaching but those who are regular teachers working in the
same schools creates a sense of derogation. As the regular teachers getting
higher amount of the salary from the government with adequate security while
the Para teachers are given meagre salary for the same work in the same
schools. In this direction, we must feel to promote these Para teachers on
regular basis for their performance and we must not forget that teachers are
also human beings and they also require money. If not same salary pattern,
respected salary must be given to teachers.
4.
Teacher Absenteeism or Monitoring Issues: It is one of the realities that is
often found in every schools irrespective of geological status. However, the
teachers appointed in hilly terrain or remote areas frequently absent but they
get regular salary. Here, we need to use technological tools to escape from
large scale absenteeism of teachers. Though we have some manual and cooperative
channel to look into the issue, we didn't achieve effective control over it.
5.
Drop-out Students: Indian public schools have greatly witnessed high rate of
drop-out children basically due to socio-economic condition. The government has
made initiatives to arrest it but the lacuna is such schemes are not targeted
and benefit was taken by someone else.
C.
Challenges Within Society: India is historically divided in caste hierarchy
which is responsible factor for underdevelopment of SCs, STs, Women and other
weak social class. It is often seen that huge discrimination attempted to make
by the dominant groups in relation to such marginalized class. The Dalit
students often are segregated in schools and even their food is separately
given under MDM Yojna in many schools. In addition, the conservative mindset of
society regarding girl education discouraged them to join schools under
pressure of patriarchal social norms. The same condition applies with the students
of minority and tribal and subjected to social discrimination. At the time of
communal or inter-caste domination issues in any region, the students belonging
to lower stratum of society feel absolute deception form the value of
education.
D.
Challenges before Society: The education in India has remained subject to few
classes rather to all and this was result of social inaction. The society or
particularly social elite silently witnessed the exploitation of education
system in own villages or locality. Because of this social inaction we remained
fail to achieve education for all. In this direction we need to sensitize
society for attaining purpose of education for all.
Loopholes:
After looking the above discussed challenges, we might be able to find out the
loopholes within the present education system. Such loopholes are:
1.
Quality Education: The recent survey done by the ASER found that students of
higher class are unable to read and understand the text of lower class. This
has seriously brought a to seek answer where improvements needs to placed
whether in assessing curriculum or assessment of performance of teachers.
2. Low
Share of Girl in Education: The education of girls is not taken seriously by
the society. Their birth is still considered a burden and in such scenario we
need to bring positive discrimination enabling girl education accessible to all
rather to few families in society.
3. No
Skill development: Our education system is highly traditional which blunt
creativity of the children. More importantly, the higher drop-out belongs to
socially marginalized class as they were forced to secure own and family life
with adequate availability of food. Such scenarios compelled them to compromise
with education and to search job. If we are able to provide those skills which
further helps in finding out job we can definitely arrest such dropout.
4. Loss
of inquisitiveness and inability to develop scientific temper in absence of
technological support.
5.
Issues with present system of Evaluation, assessment and performance of
students which are faulty and requires to be improved.
Prospects:
The
policy for education to all might be achievable but not in nearly ten years
terms unless the institutional and infrastructural challenges are corrected.
However, the step by step the government is heading to this direction. Under
SSA, the enrolment of students has surprisingly increased and it must be seen
as first phase. In the second phase, we might be able to focus on quality
education accompanying technological inputs from teaching to institutional
management. In addition, the growing role of civil society and NGOs would be
helpful to achieve rationale of such policy. Along with this, judicial activism
may support educational system to grow up.
On
conclusion, the present system of education is merely to literate the person as
despite having institutional and infrastructural challenges the government is
running schools to achieve purposes of education. In reality, they are not
being educated.
But, with the growing support
of civil society and government initiatives we may be able to render education
to all.
Inclusive
Growth vs Redistribution – Which is Better for India and Why?
·
12th Five year plan of
India has provided for the theme of Inclusive growth. Inclusive growth in
simple terms is inclusion of all sections of society along the path to
development. It is by encompassing all sections of society that the vision of
our constitution makers with Equality, Fraternity and Justice to all can be
achieved . Redistribution is a phenomenon where the resources are distributed
by taxing rich class and providing the benefits to the poor class.
The post Independent India has tried both ways
and socialism as the base tried to provide the starved section of people with
land, food, shelter etc. Nationalization of estates, big farmlands, subsidies
through PDS, various schemes like JRY, IAY etc have worked towards building
homes to many. These provisions are achieved by Redistribution of wealth from
rich to poor Whereas in areas of providing voting rights, availability of
fundamental rights, democratic institutions creation has worked towards
inclusion of marginal sections.
The Emergency period during 1975 has created
furore as it is lower strata who suffered most due to the rigid laws and made
them suffocated. The impact is felt by the nation as the country will be at
peace only if all sections are given opportunities, provided with proper share
in country's developmental benefits. Further the rise of Left extremism along
the 'Red Corridor' is a bitter evidence of lack of equitable distribution of
resources and opportunities and exclusion of many along the country's growth.
Post economic reforms, strengthening of
panchayats through constitutional laws provided much needed respite to the
rural sections and in particular marginal sections like SCs, STs due to
reservation. At the same time due to globalization, liberalisation on the other
end, no strict enforcement of forest laws, easy environment clearances, land
acquisitions there was displacement of many people across the country.
Whatever the reasons are it is the poor and
marginalised who are suffering with the consequences and the onus is on
democratic government which has to take care of them. From independence till
today there was a transition of India's stance from more socialistic and less
capitalistic attitude to less socialistic and more capitalistic tendencies.
This also changed the concept of more Redistribution in the beginning towards
more Inclusive growth emphasis at the later period.
Today India is persuing path of Inclusive
growth vigorously and including it in 12th plan is a welcome step because it is
not just Redistribution of wealth that can achieve the purpose of equitable
development, but dependency and integration of all sections in a society that
is to be established and that creates a sense of belonging, pride, enthusiasm
to work ensuring equity.
Further Redistribution is just in monetary
terms, but there are other aspects like public spaces, forests, fossils etc belong
to every person and all has a share in it. One cannot be deprived of remaining
in the name of Redistribution of wealth. The case of Niyamgiri hills of Odisha
where a private company tried to access natural resources and in exchange of
monetary benefits to the tribals of the place. It is not money, but the
culture, beliefs, history, livelihood that is at stake and the supreme court
ruling by reminding the PESA act to the villagers is an excellent way of
judging the situation emphasizing the inclusive growth and equal rights. In
this case Inclusive growth won over Redistribution(which comes after the
society is benefited by extracting natural resources of the Hills).
Taking people along and marching forward is the sure shot of
success in any democracy. Leaving few people behind will create imbalance in
society that cannot be compensated through Redistribution of resources at a
later point of time. Inclusive growth of tribals, minorities, deprived etc must
be the keyword for India after 65 years of being a Republic
India’s Role
in Changing Global Order – Should It Continue to be a Soft Power?
THE
CHANGING GLOBAL ORDER
The
International political scenario has always remained ever changing. Over the
centuries, the world has witnessed power transferred from the Industrialized
centres of Europe to USSR and USA during the Cold war era that created a bi
polar world. Since the fall of the Soviet Union in 1991, the United States of
America has been playing Big Brother in World Politics wielding its economic
and military prowess in situations they deem fit. Times have changed and
experts of international studies forsee a multi polar world led by regional
powers. This is where India is seen as a prospective candidate despite the
looming presence of China’s rich economy.
INDIAS
POSITION AS A SOFT POWER
Over
the last decade, many scholars and analysts have tried to assess India’s
emergence as a major actor in the global arena by looking at such material
indicators as economic growth, military expansion or demographic evolution.
These indicators are conventional benchmarks that all the superpowers in world
history have met. Studies have failed to look into India’s steady emphasis on
rising as a soft power nation with a foreign policy that maintains cordial
relations with all countries. ‘Power’ in International Relations (IR) has
traditionally been defined in relational terms as the ability of actor A to
influence the behaviour of actor B to get the outcomes he wants. Basically the
capacity to influence another nations foreign policy. In which case, India has
long been employing its soft power toolkit comprising culture, values and
policies through food, music, tourism, cuisine, bollywood, technology and
lately yoga.
Throughout
the timeline of history, India has maintained philosophical supremacy amongst
its contendors. Starting with Gautama Buddhas “Middle Path” and Mahatma
Gandhijis non violence or “ahimsa” that bought India her freedom. Jawarharlal
Nehru’s Non Aligned movement revealed the spirit and courage of the infant nation
to uphold its principles and values even at the risk of hurting super powers.
To the later influence of Indian cinema, cricket and yoga on the world
audience.
In the
changing scenario there are questions that need to be asked.
What are the pros and cons to India for being a “soft power”?
Why would India want to become a hard power and if so, how?
Is India ready for an overhaul for its decades old principle underlying its
foreign policies?
What is the path ahead for India as a future regional super power and how can
this goal be reached?
BENEFITS
OF INDIAS “SOFT” APPROACH
Being a
soft power has two sides to it. One is where there is a an attempt for subtle
influence through non military and non threatening means. The other is where
the nation opts for not taking irrational sides and abstains from unwanted
involvements in the worlds political stage.
Indias ancient religious philosophies emphasizing on ahimsa allowed her to
accept and embrace various cultures and this has resulted in a diverse yet
tightly integrated nation.
India’s non violence techniques used under the leadership of Mahatma Gandhi to
drive away the British saved India from a full fledged war for freedom and from
possible large scale blood shed.
India’s
leadership and involvement in the Non Aligned movement brought it international
attention and respect especially from the developing nations. Silent yet
powerful mechanisms of vocally asserting the Indian stand on international
platforms have helped in avoiding the creation of enemies. Indias soft approach
has helped create and maintain amiable relationships with nations all around
the world. Indias largely neutral stand on important international issues such
as the Israel Palestine conflict has led to an environment where fruitful talks
can be held with both parties and their supporters without any bitterment.
Indias
abstainance from voting at the UN regarding Human Rights Investigation and
related allegations on the Rajpakse led Sri Lanka helped in re establishment of
earlier soured ties ater ascendance of the new government at Colombo. Silence
of India on International forum relating to the Ukraine crisis has helped avoid
rage from both its investors ie Russia and USA. Lately the terror outfit Islamic
State with its self proclaimed Islamic Caliphite has brought much fear, but
India has chosen to be a quiet observer for fear of risking lives of millions
of NRIs that remain to build their livlihoods in the Gul Region and Middle
East.
WHY
WOULD INDIA WANT TO BE A HARD POWER?
Military
and Economic strength are two powers that can be easily defined, determined,
calculated and compared. The absence of a formidable development and show of
these powers by India on the international platform has led to it being
perceived a passive and neutral nation of comparitively less significance.
There have been allegations by Indian analyts of Indias soft power policies
having fallen short of expectations. This they say can be seen from its
inability to capitalise on soft power.
A
significant piece of history that will reveal this statement with better
clarity is the Sino Indian war of 1962. The war was enlightening for India the
had untill then followed foreign policy of Panchsheel with China made popular
with the famous phrase “India China Bhai Bhai” meaning India China are
brothers. Post war the phrase rhetorically turned to “India China Bye Bye”. The
background of the war was the India stuck to its principles and trust while
China used the opportunity to unleash aggression over unmanned India China
borders. India lacked the backing of hard power to udergrid its soft power
ambitions.
Another
problem that this approach faces is that India is yet to firmly establish its
identity. The world audience continues to be bombarded with contrasting images
of India. Indias constant trust deficit with its close neighbours and unsolved
territory conflicts is yet aniother display of how the soft policy has failed.
UNSC is yet to allow a permanent seat to India and this the attitude of the
internatonal political community towards iIndia in a nutshell. Indian assets
required in dealing with the world cannot remain intangible for too long.
IS
INDIA READY?
Economically-
India continues to grow but not without unavoidable hitches and hiccups. Its
rate of growth can be compared with economic superpowers such as China and USA.
But to reach that level of GDP India will need to take huge steps in
diversifying and improving the business environment in India
Strategically
– Indias geographical position remains to be one which can be envied with rich
resources, protection by the Himalayas and easy livlihood and trade
opportunities due to the long coastline. Proximity and access to important
strategic points such as andaman and nicobar island in south china sea will
serve beneficial.
Politically
– Indias incumbent one party government and pluralistic democracy has brought
political stability which is an imminent quality that is required by any world
power.
Socially- Communal conflicts, woman empoverment, poverty, education and
healthcare remain to be issues of concern that have the capacity to reduce the
demographic advantage that India hopes to benefit from in the near future
Internationally-
Indias ties with powers such as Russia China and USA remain amiable but India
is yet to gain a seat as a permanent member with veto rights at the United
Nations Security council. Indias foreign service cadre remains.
PATH
FOR THE FUTURE
Indias soft power
continues to evolve organically. India has been working in the direction of
being a hard power by large investments in space programmes such as the
recently successful Mars Mission. Further, indegenous defence projects that are
being implemented will help in asserting its soft power with a solid backing.
With the advent of the new government in 2014 May, India is beginnning to see
its rise on the World stage. It has been harnessing its soft power to build
“Brand India” and bring economic benefits and attract investments from abroad.
India should continue to being a soft power until its internal issues of
extreme poverty are solved because a country that holds a large population of
the worlds poor should focus its efforts on the problem at hand instead of
aiming to be a hard power in the international scene and investing in military
and defense programs.
·
Are the standardized
tests good measure of academic ability or progress?
Standardized tests are the tests conducted in
a standard and consistent manner which are the same for each every student
undergoing it. All the procedures involving in it starting from the paper
setting to interpretation of the paper undergo in a pre determined standard and
fair manner. This way of testing is adopted globally but there are many
concerns regarding this methodology.
Firstly regarding the content of the
examination, it goes with the one size fits all approach. It is impossible to
fit entire knowledge domain in a single paper and assessing student’s
performance with such a procedure doesn’t seem logical. Also the paper setter
while setting the paper go for sampling of questions (i.e) most of them sets
the paper keeping in view an average student, which may also leads to
discrimination. Also usually contents reflect what usually teacher teaches in
class or fixed monotonous pattern of paper in case of the competitive
examination.
Coming to the exam pattern, these standardized
tests usually follow a fixed pattern which helps students to adhere to the
rules and sort of discipline mindset. Also these tests set a goal for both
students and teachers. Teachers have to teach the students in a planned way for
the examination and students have to learn it (i.e) these tests make them
accountable. But also these tests make both teachers and students to give more
emphasis to exams rather than on the respective domains, as the results are
considered more important. As these are time bound tests they may mount pressure
on the students and make them panic to hinder their performance. Good part is
that from these students can learn how to handle the pressure which will be
common in later stages of life. However these tests also impose pressure on
teachers as even their performance is evaluated based on these tests.
With respect to students preparation, now
there has been a general trend of last minute preparations. This is because of
the nature and pattern of the examinations. The papers are in such a way that
the students are able to get away with one night preparations.
The most important part of any test is the end
result. The results of these tests help the parents and teachers of the
students to know the performance of their children. As these tests are
conducted with the standard rules, procedures and guildelines these results are
considered to be valid and reliable. These tests will also help the parents and
teachers to compare the performance of the students with the students of other
schools, districts, cities or even states. Also these results are helped to
know the best institution/school to join in. These will also be useful to
assess the students strengths and weaknesses like for ex. A student can have a
better overall performance but weak in one subject. However internal weakness
in a subject is not known. Tests will keep the students competitive. Also
students growth overtime can be known. On teachers part these tests results are
mostly objective.
But mere test results cannot and should not
assess the quality of education of an institution. It is a very wrongly
perceived notion that institute/school with more no. of ranks provide the best
quality education. Like wise it is not convincing to accept the student with
more no. of marks or ranks possess more knowledge. In both the cases there are
many external factors like in school it depends on the students, curriculum,
flexibility to the teachers from the management, Infrastructure, additional
care taken by the parents of the students,…and on students part there may be a
case most of the questions are unaware though he has sound knowledge on the
topic, exam pressure, not good at health, not comfortable with this nature of
testing,…There are many no. of people who doesn’t do well in exams but excel in
their life. Also these standardized tests doesn’t test all the abilities of the
student. Ironically, now the competition went to higher levels i.e competition
between institutions by which they are competing on the no. of ranks rather
than quality of education which is very unhealthy. Also there is very less
emphasis on extracurricular activities like sports,music,dance,…
This type of education is the reason for the lower skills our
graduates are facing, leaving them unemployed. But this type of standardized
testing is very much into our system and it is merely impossible to dismantle
the system immediately. However on a serious note reforms can be done like
providing more inclusive test which is not only testing the academics but also
other skills like creativity, reasoning, critical thinking and more importantly
application part. Not a single fixed monotonous pattern should be followed.
Teachers should be given more flexibility so that they can come out with
innovative practices for a more effective teaching. Also tests should be
conducted for interpersonal and communication skills of students with external
examiners. Random uninformed tests have to be part of the curriculum. Equal
emphasis should be given to extracurricular activities. In my view
extracurricular like sports/any other of students interest and social service
should be given credits in the examination. Weekly projects, seminars, science
fairs, exhibitions should be conducted to make students apply the learnt
knowledge and know what is happening around the world in their interested
domains. Finally a cumulative assessment of the student including all the above
mentioned aspects worked out throughout the year is very much necessary and
efficient too to assess the students consistency, knowledge, ability and all
round performance
