Weare witnessing an era of reform (reform?) in education system; that is to restructure and reorient education.
Nowwhat we are seeing is dismantling of present state education board andimplementation of single board CBSE inentire country. From media reports, we come to know that a central leveleducation system for lower class, viz. from class 5th to 9th will beimplemented in the Jammu &Kashmir . The government has set up a committeewhich will submit its report by March 10th. The reason given behind this changeis better development and interest of the common students. So the syllabus,question paper, exam pattern, etc., will be like that of CBSE. Previously it was suggested by YashpalCommittee during UPA government. On this suggestion, the HRD Ministry proposedto set up a single school board in place of the existing state boards. A single National board obviously helps bringthe whole school education under total and unitary control of the government inthe same way as has been planned for higher education to be brought under asingle body of Higher Education Council of India (Repeal of UGC) Act. This fitsin the design to absolute governmental control over education.
Second,given the widely varying conditions in different regions as also the range ofvarying levels of development of education, and the different boards, it isunwise and impracticable to think of any such measure; keeping in view thevarying needs of the people. The regional variations in the structure andcourses of education came into being, and evolved, in a historical course tomeet the varied needs. For any wrongs, astate board or a university could be taken to task seriously and effectively.But to scrap all boards for wrongs by some is not just ridiculous, it turns outto be an act of ‘killing the patient, leaving disease alone’.
Itis a motivated act. it has been shown that these reformists suggestdisaffiliation of colleges on the ground that large size of universities tellupon their quality. New universities are being set up for the purpose of decentralization.At once they are pushing for setting up a single large board for the wholecountry. A self contradictoryproposition indeed, which is destined to spell disaster for education!
Theproactive ‘reformist’ raise the cry of ‘quality going down’ but this they doonly to distract and befool common people. In the same breath they talk ofscrapping the examination system on pet pleas as if unaware that this measureheads for further lowering of quality.
Notthat they are ignorant. It is just not amatter of concern for them. Because they are set to give effect to an educationpolicy whose objective is to make education a preserve of the rich. Toimplement this grand design they need to arrogate to themselves unlimitedunitary powers so that any resistance may be overcome easily. The design has tobe exposed and the machinations resisted at any rate!
Theauthor is Vice chairman J&K RTI Foundation.