 |
| Education |
We are all acutely aware of the fact that our educational system is heavily flawed. Of course, no system can be perfect. That's why I said 'heavily', meaning that the downsides are very steep.
Recently when I met a friend who is a graduate in Economics, I came to know that although she wished to pursue Mathematics as her career, her options were very limited. This came as a huge surprise to me. The only paper (of repute) she is eligible for is JAM, whose scores are used by the IIT's and IISC. I am of course, discounting the entire bunch of private universities which are mere machines converting currencies to degrees.
This is what bugged me. If there is a person who has realized that his/her calling is in a subject different from what he/she has been pursuing before (Maths in this case), the educational system should be such that it encourages the person to take up that subject. Isn't that how it is supposed to be ? But it ain't so. Instead, the system discourages you.
It is not like someone is saying -"Okay, listen up, I do not want to do economics and I wish to do my masters in Maths. So Give me seat in the best institute."
Here are people willing to learn a new subject because they enjoy doing it and are ready to face an entrance paper which is given by thousands of others who 'belong' to that domain. Now, WHY WOULD ANYONE DO THAT? Such commitment is possible only for 2 reasons:-
->Either the person really likes that subject matter, in which case it is, i think a CRIME to bar him/her from sitting from the entrance.
->The stream of choice is potentially more paying, in which case the person is least concerned about what he/she is studying and more about what he/she would earn in the future.
The people in the first category is the only concern because instead of being supported by the system, they are being demoralized.
The argument that a person from field X cannot cope with the pressures of field Y is absolutely rubbish. If the institutes are so hard bound on getting the best candidates, why not set a paper accordingly and then let any and everyone sit for it. What are they scared of ? Do they think that their selection procedure is not good enough to weed out those whom they consider incapable of handling the particular field.
It's all rubbish I think. Educational systems should be encouraging, not otherwise.
It is sad to think that due to these illogical practices, many a dedicated students have been forced to face closed doors and resign to a life not half as enjoyable as the one for which they are ready to work their ass off. It is a very sorry state of affairs, methinks.
Solution ?
Every person should be eligible for every God damn paper. The responsibility of creating an unbiased and fair selection procedure should lie with the individual institute.
That is the only way of having the right people at the right places.
Adios!
No comments:
Post a Comment