I have been hearing a lot of high pitched voices in last few days, advocating RTE implementation. Educationists, journalists, social activists, all seem to be convinced about this "revolutionary" new social justice tool whisked out by the government. But are things really that simple?I doubt it.
Don't get me wrong. I value education. In fact as a highly qualified doctor( I am a Invasive Cardiologist), I have put in more years behind the desk than most people in this world. I firmly believe education can change the world. It can bring about a sea change in the attitude of people. It can reduce many problems the country is facing: unemployment, crime, population explosion to name a few. It is a powerful tool. No doubt about that.
So why not applaud the government initiative and be "politically correct"?What irks me about this government initiative is, that government is treating all schools-even unaided private ones as a part of its fifedom. By imposing its conditions on private educational institutes, it is revealing its communal mindset. I strongly believe in a reward- based enterpreneural capitalistic society-time has shown this model to be most successful throughout the world- And ironically, by bringing this law, even government is grudgingly admitting that private players are doing a better job of running educational institutes than their government run counterparts. What people don't realise is that every person: even the "haloed" professionals like teachers,doctors etc. need money. And one can only lure the most talented men to the job, if the financial prospects look rosy enough. What has been suggested as a solution has been equally unacceptable:Recovering the fees from the remaining 75% of the students, or collecting them as a tax: Both will end up burdening the already overburdened middle class.
Secondly, what most people do not realise is that nothing that is free is valued. By giving away freebies to the poor, we are not assuring them of better opportunities. Who is to say that they will not whither away the opportunity which they got without any effort on their part? Most students in government aided schools do not as much as attend the school- most such schools have dismal pass percentages. Isn't the thought that RTE will magically cure all social ills more in the realm of wishful thinking than practical reality?
In conclusion, I have to say: I beg to differ. Agreed, a lot needs to change in India. Education needs to percolate deep into the Indian society to weed out the ignorance, unemployment, and social evils. But this has to be through meticulous, persistent and concentrated efforts. There is no magic wand to rid India off its illiteracy. RTE is definitely not that.
India needs to decide whether it wants to tread on the socialist path, or embrace capitalism with open arms. All these years it is following a middle path. This doesn't work. All it begets is corruption, inefficiency and laziness. High time intellectuals amongst us got up and smelt the coffee. And told the emperor that he is naked!
Don't get me wrong. I value education. In fact as a highly qualified doctor( I am a Invasive Cardiologist), I have put in more years behind the desk than most people in this world. I firmly believe education can change the world. It can bring about a sea change in the attitude of people. It can reduce many problems the country is facing: unemployment, crime, population explosion to name a few. It is a powerful tool. No doubt about that.
So why not applaud the government initiative and be "politically correct"?What irks me about this government initiative is, that government is treating all schools-even unaided private ones as a part of its fifedom. By imposing its conditions on private educational institutes, it is revealing its communal mindset. I strongly believe in a reward- based enterpreneural capitalistic society-time has shown this model to be most successful throughout the world- And ironically, by bringing this law, even government is grudgingly admitting that private players are doing a better job of running educational institutes than their government run counterparts. What people don't realise is that every person: even the "haloed" professionals like teachers,doctors etc. need money. And one can only lure the most talented men to the job, if the financial prospects look rosy enough. What has been suggested as a solution has been equally unacceptable:Recovering the fees from the remaining 75% of the students, or collecting them as a tax: Both will end up burdening the already overburdened middle class.
Secondly, what most people do not realise is that nothing that is free is valued. By giving away freebies to the poor, we are not assuring them of better opportunities. Who is to say that they will not whither away the opportunity which they got without any effort on their part? Most students in government aided schools do not as much as attend the school- most such schools have dismal pass percentages. Isn't the thought that RTE will magically cure all social ills more in the realm of wishful thinking than practical reality?
In conclusion, I have to say: I beg to differ. Agreed, a lot needs to change in India. Education needs to percolate deep into the Indian society to weed out the ignorance, unemployment, and social evils. But this has to be through meticulous, persistent and concentrated efforts. There is no magic wand to rid India off its illiteracy. RTE is definitely not that.
India needs to decide whether it wants to tread on the socialist path, or embrace capitalism with open arms. All these years it is following a middle path. This doesn't work. All it begets is corruption, inefficiency and laziness. High time intellectuals amongst us got up and smelt the coffee. And told the emperor that he is naked!
