Professor Krishna Kumar is right in saying that the impact of commercial and political interests in educational institutions is what is compromising the system ( >Editorial page, Sept. 15 ). The quality of education is linked to the type of educational system we need. It is also correlated to efficient infrastructure and the quality of teachers. The quality of teachers brings significant changes in shaping young minds.
P. Venkatesu,Hyderabad
It is true that the selection and appointment process for teachers is flawed, which indirectly contributes to the standard of education in India. Many who could turn out to be good teachers lose their morale and calibre when they are subjected to a biased selection process. There is a need for a periodic review of the performance of teachers. But it should be measured not in terms of the pass percentage of students in an institution but in terms of the level of knowledge that students possess, the spirit of inquiry that he or she has imbibed and the principles that have been gathered. Across India, teachers are more worried about finishing the syllabus than determining what students know and whether they can think for themselves.
Haresh Kumar C.R.,Palakkad
The abominable practice of making libraries fade into the background is a shocker. A visit to any university town or centre in the West will present one with the scene of hundreds of young students toiling away and working hard, undertaking research and assignments in libraries. Libraries have now become dilapidated temples that require renovation, care and meticulous attention.
N. Visveswaran,Chennai
The skewed salary scales of faculty members in most institutions is a factor contributing to institutional decay. One often finds doctoral candidates in ad hoc or guest faculty positions, working for a pittance. A person in the administrative wing may be drawing a better salary. In the case of some self-financing engineering colleges, the plight of the faculty is often pitiable.
Jacob K. Daniel,Kochi
A nation that treats its intellectual capital in a shabby manner is doomed to remain backward. In India we have a situation where manual labour and skilled tradesmanship are financially more rewarding than intellectual efforts and accomplishments. That is why carpenters, electricians and plumbers earn more than teachers holding doctoral degrees, often working as contract coolies. Educational reforms should start with treating qualified and competent teachers with respect and providing them with decent remuneration, working conditions and perks. Governments should stop the practice of temporary appointments and fill vacancies with full-time permanent teachers. It is time to regulate the working conditions of teachers in private institutions, some of which bleed society by charging capitation fees. How can disgruntled and discontented teachers be motivated to inspire their students? That said, accountability for performance should also be enforced.
V.N. Mukundarajan,Thiruvananthapuram
