Using Grants for Coaching
BY Sulagna Chattopadhyay29 Dec 2013 4:31 PM GMT
Sulagna Chattopadhyay29 Dec 2013 4:31 PM GMT
In a sketchy and evasive reply to a parliament question (winter session 2013) about the policy of University Grants Commission (UGC) of India in establishing coaching institutes for competitive examinations, the UGC informed that during the 12th Plan, 23 Central Universities were funded for such activities. Coaching was imparted for Group A, B and CÂ
service examinations in the Central Services, the State Services and equivalent posts in the private sector. One would expect that the UGC would warm the seats of higher learning, being set up as it was with a mandate to promote university education, research and teaching. Now, it has decided that university education also entails coaching for competitive examinations within the university premises, by the very professors who would otherwise be engaged in ‘higher research’. Why are we promoting shadow education that neither ensures a degree or a job nor, of course, has anything to do with research? Â
Unscrupulous multitudes of ‘hackers and crackers’ of competitive examinations running dubious, exploitative and coercive coaching centres sponge the middle class with élan. These are neither challenged nor regulated by the education ministries of the states or centre which in any case exacerbates social inequalities and disrupts the country’s education system. UGC, the last bastion of enlightenment, is failing to provide academic excellence or enhancement of human capital for students, with coaching becoming part of their ‘programmes’. UGC has thus become another lofty organisation that needs to introspect on its foundation day celebrating 60 years of its ‘exemplary’ service.
The author is President, LIGHTS Research Organisation
Next Story
In 100 bail orders: 'Videos' used for arrest in 44; 32 of these failed ...
22 Feb 2021 7:11 PM GMTDelhi Police say 1,753 held but courts heard over 4,347 bail pleas
21 Feb 2021 8:26 PM GMT755 FIRs and 342 chargesheets against 1,553 people later – not a...
21 Feb 2021 7:48 PM GMTOf courts' bugbears, most common 'doubtful' police, public witness...
23 Feb 2021 7:29 PM GMTA Delhi Police-sized roadblock in victims' path to justice — clubbing...
25 Feb 2021 7:39 PM GMT
Twitter moves HC seeking review of Centre's orders to block content
5 July 2022 8:15 PM GMTAssam floods: 11.17 lakh still affected, four more deaths
5 July 2022 8:07 PM GMT'Administrative delays will create problems for state'
5 July 2022 8:07 PM GMTTalks to convert Delhi into full UT, alleges Kejriwal; says move will...
5 July 2022 8:06 PM GMTPanel to look into non-answering of MLAs' questions by services dept
5 July 2022 8:05 PM GMT