Who’s listening to the teacher? HEI Rankings aren’t

Source– The post is based on the article “Who’s listening to the teacher? HEI Rankings aren’t” published in the “The Times of India” on 1st August 2023.

Syllabus: GS2- Issues related to development and management of education

Relevance: Higher education

News– The article explains the issues related to the ranking system for educational institutions and importance of qualitative methods to assess the quality of education

Why are qualitative methods important to assess the quality of education institutions?

To achieve a well-rounded approach, qualitative research holds equal importance.

Quantitative methods are effective for analysing certain aspects such as faculty research and publications. But, they may not suffice when it comes to evaluating qualitative elements like the quality of teaching.

The quality of teaching is the most important among all the criteria used in rankings to judge the strength of an educational institution. This is particularly relevant for institutions that prioritise teaching in India.

What are the issues with the rankings system of educational institutions?

Certain ranking mechanisms tend to blur the distinction between the quality of teaching and ‘learning outcomes. They overlook the intricate examination of pedagogy.

Most ranking systems fail to adequately capture the subjective aspects of teaching and learning. They tend to prioritise the objective data on an institution’s accomplishments.

Ranking systems mention innovations in teaching methods. But, their approach often remains quantitative and lacks qualitative elaboration.

Teaching is inherently a creative and critical endeavour. It involves a teacher infusing their passion for the chosen subject, combining it with effective pedagogy.

If ranking exercises are merely quantitative, it fails to acknowledge the fundamental creative and critical nature of education.

What are the challenges faced by a teacher in case of overcrowded classrooms?

The recent report by QS rankers highlighted the discouraging faculty to student ratio in Indian higher education institutions.

In such overcrowded classrooms, pedagogy becomes the first and most critical casualty. It  makes it difficult for teachers to effectively deliver their lessons.

The imagination and creativity a teacher brings to the classroom are undermined when faced with an excessive number of students per class.