A mockery of pedagogic ethics, the breaking of a bond

Source: The post is based on the article “A mockery of pedagogic ethics, the breaking of a bond” published in “The Hindu” on 14th September 2023.

Syllabus: GS2- Governance- Issues relating to development and management of Social Sector/Services relating to Education.

News: The article discusses the decline in teacher training and quality in India, especially in Uttar Pradesh. It mentions a specific incident where a teacher made students slap a young Muslim boy. The article highlights the need for better teacher training and the importance of the teacher-student relationship.

What is the status of the Right to Education Act in India?

Momentum Loss: The Right to Education (RTE) Act, introduced over a decade ago, has lost its initial momentum.

Quality Indicators: The RTE has established clear indicators of quality for schools.

Attempted Compliance: For some time, there was an effort in a few states to ensure both government and private schools met RTE standards.

COVID-19 Impact: While the pandemic affected the implementation of the RTE, it wasn’t the sole reason for its decreased focus.

Neglect in Teacher Training: The crucial sector of teacher training has seen neglect, impacting the RTE’s effectiveness. For example, the incident in a Uttar Pradesh school, where a teacher allowed students to slap a young boy, highlights the gaps and challenges in maintaining RTE standards.

What is the issue with teacher training?

Entrepreneurial Dominance: Since the 1990s, teacher training has become a domain for small-time entrepreneurs, which could lead to a compromise in quality.

Ineffective Regulation: The National Council for Teacher Education (NCTE) has struggled to enforce its meticulously set norms for teacher training.

Justice J.S. Verma’s Report: In 2008, the Supreme Court of India appointed a commission under the late Justice J.S. Verma to address issues in teacher training. Despite its detailed report in 2012, many recommendations have gone unheeded.

Qualification Concerns: The Supreme Court commented on the NCTE’s decision to allow Bachelor of Education (BEd) degree holders to teach at the primary level, which is traditionally for secondary education.

Gap in Professional Ethics: The incident in Muzaffarnagar, Uttar Pradesh, highlights the decline in teaching ethics and professionalism in some educational settings.

What are the recommendations of the Chattopadhyaya Report?

Professional Conduct: The report tried to define what would be considered appropriate professional conduct for teachers.

Well-read and Thoughtful Teachers: Chattopadhyaya envisioned a teacher who is well-read, thoughtful, and conscious of her decisions and actions.

Gap from Professional Standards: The report highlighted how teaching in India was distanced from the standards and ethics one would consider professional.

What should be done?

Reinforce RTE Act: The momentum of the Right to Education (RTE) Act needs to be reinvigorated to ensure quality education for all.

Strengthen Teacher Training: Address the concerns in the teacher training sector by strictly enforcing the National Council for Teacher Education (NCTE) norms.

Revisit Recommendations: Review and implement the guidelines and vision from past reports, like the Chattopadhyaya Report, emphasizing introspection and ethical teaching practices.

Address Qualification Mismatches: Ensure that teacher qualifications align with their teaching levels, as highlighted by the Supreme Court’s concern over BEd degree holders teaching primary students.

Strengthen the Teacher-Student Bond: Recognize and nurture the crucial bond between students and teachers, ensuring trust, respect, and effective education.