[Answered] “Political influence and lack of critical debate has led to inefficient education system in India.” Comment.

Political interference and lack of critical debates is certainly the most important reason for poor outcomes in education sector. This has led to poor education system in India impacting teacher quality and student learning.

Issue of political interference in education system:

1. Political interference is pervasive at all levels from selecting location of institutions, approval of grant-in-aid status, selection of examination centres to all senior appointments and in many states from VC to college Principals to District Education Officers.
2. There is large scale corruption in appointments, transfers, approval to affiliate and grant recognition of institutions, even going to the extent of manipulation of exam results.
3. Undeserving educational institutions often received rapid accreditation, while ‘more qualified’ institutions wait for long periods, the answer almost invariably would relate to political interference.
4. Widespread corruption prevails in the functioning of regulators like AICTE, UGC, MCI and NCTE.

Lack of critical debate in education system:

1. Debate is a great device for engaging students and bringing life to the classroom. Lack of  debates in the classroom prevent students from understanding essential critical-thinking and presentation skills.
2. Lack of debates prevented nurturing of rational thinking, manners and handicap qualities of organization of thoughts and public leadership.
3. Lack of debate has led to students inability of relevant learning and prevented deep thinking abilities.
4. Wrote learning and lack of critical debates has led to biased learning preventing students from testing their thoughts.

What should be done?

1. The process of selection and appointment of Vice-Chancellor should be “depoliticised” and done purely on merit.
2. An independent mechanism for teacher recruitment, creation of an Autonomous Teacher Recruitment Board and revamp of teacher education system.
3. A new transparent system should be established for approval, affiliation and regular evaluation of new institutions, with transparent processes, based on clearly established principles, with full public disclosure.
4. It is important to set the right tone for discussion in the classroom early on in the semester to establish a rapport with students. Studies have shown that students who contribute to class conversations early are much more likely to continue contributing to class discussions later on. Therefore, it is vital to find ways to involve all students in the classroom debates.

With stress on wrote learning and political interferences, teacher quality has been decreased. Teachers are trained to make students fit to get job and not develop deep and critical thinking. Thus an overhaul of education system with focus on critical debates and less political interference can help in improving Indian education system.