Needs for educational reforms

Bidyasagar Salam *

Teachers participating in a workshop on teaching the art of learning English and Meetei Mayek at Leimayol Arts Centre, Chingamakha
Pix - HL

We are living in a highly competitive world. We need a competent environment to cope up with this. Our educational environment is not a satisfying one. Our students are facing a lot of disadvantages regarding education.

The experience of our State is typical of many. But it seems to be worse in our State. That's why the number of students studying outside the State is increasing year by year.

The quality of education appears to be decreasing. The idea of self-help becomes a story of the past. Poor students can compete no longer. They cannot afford costly coachings. Besides, Government had issued an order to the Government higher secondary schools to let all the applicants to admit.

This is indeed a generous act. It is part of the so called 'liberal education'. But Government does not take up proper measures to educate these students. Teachers cannot handle them. Students sometimes become wild that they go out of control. Thus, the following reforms are much necessary for quality education in the state.

Teachers Training: It is not easy to handle the students of this generation. So, teachers need to be well trained and qualified. More and more teacher training institutions need to be established. Workshops should be held regularly so that it keeps the teachers up to date with the current educational trend.

Sufficient educational aids : The main difference between the education system of our country and that of other developed countries is that our students have little opportunity to access to the modern educational aids. Modern educational aids like telescopes, microscopes, globes, maps, projectors, computers and internet, etc. are lacking. So, there is a constant gap between the students who have access to these and those who do not.

Vocational education : Children should be given appropriate vocational educa- tion. They should be trained in dramatic society, boxing, painting, debating, writing, carpentry, singing, martial arts, photography, fashion designing, music, etc.

Thus, they can develop their personality to the fullest. Education does not mean only imparting knowledge but also it implies drawing out creativity and talents of the child. They should be given the opportunities to express their creativity and innovative ideas.

By doing so, they will be kept disciplined and in a healthy environment. They will learn the sense of responsibility. Educational environment should be made more and more enjoyable. No one likes to stay in a boring world. They want to enjoy. So, they should be given the opportunities to enjoy. If they enjoy the school or college, they will come to the school regularly. Moreover, vocational educations give them a chance to chase their passions and a way to earn income. Our State needs more and more young innovators and entrepreneurs.

Financial assistance : There is free and compulsory education for children up to class VIII. This is one of the most significant social welfare measures taken up by the Government of India. It is indeed a fruitful program. More and more student are enrolled in schools from year to year.

But what about the higher studies ? Education is less expensive up to class VIII. Government educate freely during this less expensive years and leave the rest for themselves.

What will they do with a class viii passed certificate in these days ? Employment is almost hopeless for them. This is not quality education. The objective of education is not only to enable the child read and write. The existing scholarships are not enough for this large population. Moreover, these are delayed and children cannot use them at the time of necessity. More financial assistance are needed.

These people have hardly any knowledge regarding education loans. At the same time, it is not an easy thing to take a loan in this country. It takes a lot of time and process. The point is that education loans should be made easily available at a very low interest.

Books and libraries: The major difference between our people and that of western European countries is that they have reading culture and we try to have reading habit. Not many people use to visit the public libraries. Besides, the items of books are want of many varieties. Again, enough books are not available in the our state market. These book dealers sell only some particular books. The concern authority needs to take the initiative to supply such educational requirements to the students. More public libraries should be established different parts of the state.

Counselling: The adolescents tend to do anything out of curiosity. They can not differentiate between the right and wrong. They need proper guidance and friendly supervision. So, counseling should be given so that they can handle their problems. It will enable them to make correct decisions that they will not regret in the future. Again, they don't know which career they should follow. Therefore, career guidance should be given from class VII/VIII. They should be encouraged to chase their dreams and passions.

More comprehensive syllabus: A more comprehensive and competent syllabus is needed in these days. Government will save a lot of money that they spend in advertisements and awareness programs for their various schemes and programs if they incorporate them in the school syllabus in more detail. We often hear of the phrase 'human degenaration'.

This means the degradation of the human morality and rationality. So, moral science with more sex and gender studies should be made compulsory. To preserve the identity of the minority communities like that of our state need more attention. Manipur history, geography, politics and economics should be incorporated in the syllabus with greater emphasis than the existing system. The political and economic trends of our state are never taught in the schools and colleges. Consequently, our people are less of our own polity and economy. It is also one of the factor for the existing gap between the government and the people. We need to bridge this gap through various reforms.

Hostel and other residential facilities: Students need a sound place to study. Many students from different parts of the state come to study at Imphal. They need a place so that they can reside their and go to school regularly. In fact, they are mostly poor and they can not afford the rents. Hence, they need a government hostel. The existing hostels of the schools and colleges should be expanded in the interest of these students who are hungry for knowledge and study.

By doing so, these schools and college can attract more and more students in higher study. On the other hand, the management of these hostel is not the one that we can call good. They need good food. It will keep them healthy and mentally sound. But the food supplied in these hostels are not satisfying. Moreover, newspapers, magazines, journals, should be provided to keep them updated even though they are keep isolated within the campuses.

Non-interference of politics in the internal school management: The committee of the school or college should be given full authority to run the college. Political influence during teacher appointment and posting is one of greatest hindrance of quality education. The principal of the school or college sometimes can not say a word to some teachers who neglect their duty because they are family of some ministers or directors. It is indeed a challenge to the education. Education should be a peace zone.

Through such reforms, we will be able to proceed to quality education. By quality education, we mean the development of a child to the fullest on a very reasonable budget. We should try to provide a very friendly campus to attract the students from other states of the countries. We need to develop more A-grade schools, colleges and universities. The talented youths of the state have been keep untouched for generations. Human resource is the only resource which has a large potential in the state. It needs more attention of the authority.