Academic Digression

Now a days reputation of an educational institute is not on based the academic discipline and results they achieve but on the publicity and glamour they garner about various events organized in these institutes. Organizing a few events to provide a platform for various co-curricular qualities and talents in the students is fine. For e.g. an annual function which includes comprehensive activities like sports and performing arts is a necessary event. However functions and events organized all around the year shifting the focus away from studies is not justified. Even if it is an Arts college, does not mean you have to make students perform arts at the expense of in-depth study of the subjects they are pursuing for degree. It is should surely be appreciated if the students are able to perform a historical drama based on some course subject. But even more important is, whether they are able to discuss about the entire historical period in depth amongst themselves and with the teachers. Students should be able to pose the questions which motivates the teachers to take extra efforts. Students should get deeply interested in the subject they are studying and form their own opinions based on study and research instead of blindly following the narratives.

Teachers are the backbone of any educational institute. Substandard teachers should not be hired in the institutes. We all know the current state of affairs in education system. Willingness to shell out the money, strong references and proper eligibility documents take preference in that order. Quality of communication and pedagogical skills are the last thing assessed during an appointment interview. Obviously you can not expect much out of such appointees.

Teaching and studies are secondary things in the college. Conditions are now equally bad even in reputed colleges across Bharat. Everyone seems to have digressed from academics into the show business. Huge buildings, posh infrastructure and well decorated campus is what cuts the deal. Hefty and sometimes disgusting amount of fees and donations are charged by these institutes. And eventually when student realize that it was all superficial they have no choice left other than to play along because there are internal marks controlled by colleges. Students try their best to be in good books of teachers just to get the maximum internal marks awarded.

But its long due that the students take control of the affairs. They will have to start pushing back strongly. Remind the authorities about the promises they made in the glamorous brochures and counselling sessions. Confront them. Tell them, this is not why you chose to get admitted here. Tell them that you desire and deserve some quality education and training from the degree course so that you come out as an employable person. As a student its your duty to attend the lectures regularly. If you are not attending them, find out the reasons and work towards addressing them one by one. If your college staff is not trained and qualified you must insist for quality teachers. You have to proactively give feedback on teachers and teaching methods followed. Point out the teachers who are wasting your time. You ought to insist for a quality assessment process too. You have to say no for the out of out internal marks showered on your to save the faces of these institutes. Consider it as an attack on your self-esteem, do not accept them. A student who scores above 90% marks in all internal assessment exposes the malpractices of these institutes when s/he fails to even pass the external assessments. Know it well that once you pay the handsome donations during admission process, they are ready to confer the degrees upon you in a silver platter. But that degree has no value in job market more than a piece of paper.

As a student you can play a pivotal role in improving the state of affairs in these academic institutes. The onus lies totally on you students. You have to bring this digressed education system and inebriated education mafia back to senses. You have to identify the power you possess. Its your world, make them dance to your tune instead of playing into their hands. Without you they are like fishes out of the pond. If you simply refuse to get admitted in a corrupt institute they are going to get out of business and die. The sooner you act, better are the chances.

The choice is yours because the career is yours!