Essays

If I were made the minister of education, I have some dreams that could come true.

We are far away from our goal of education for all. We are still following the old system which was introduced by Lord Macaulay in 1853 to produce fodder for , government offices. Educated Indians still run after secure jobs. There is so much unemployment which leads to frustration. The standard of education is going down— it is a question of quality versus quantity. Indiscipline is rife among students. There are strikes, ragging and acts of violence. Breaking point is nearing. Ours is a democratic form of government. Everyone, high or low, can aspire for higher places in government. So, I thought I stand chances of becoming minister of education someday. I propose bringing about radical changes in the country's education pattern.

First, I would improve the lot of teachers. Teachers are the pivots on whom the whole structure of education revolves. Only happy teachers can give of their best to wards under their charge. I shall thus increase the salaries of all categories of teachers so that they have not to run here and there and do odd jobs to supplement their income. This is also the only way to attract talent.

Second, I would change the present system of education. Promotion would be made on semester system already in vogue in the USA, Germany and some other European countries. The old system depends too much on memory and on-the-spot preparation. In the semester system pupils will have to study throughout the year without break.

Next I will direct my attention to technical and agricultural education. Study of art and craft will be Compulsory. By these, students can look forward to self- Employment. Vocational studies will also be given importance so that pupils get ready for professional jobs too.

In the final, I shall try to raise the percentage of literacy in the country. It is a pity that only a small percentage of inhabitants are literate. I shall make primary and middle classes compulsory. I shall see to it that more schools and shifts and colleges are opened, especially in rural and semi-urban areas—and the teachers will be from the same environment.

With studies will be combined sports—so that the Students develop personalities without angularities and also develop sport person's spirit of playing the game.  Studies will be competence-oriented. Students out of schools and colleges will be refined persons indeed— ready to work hard for the country's sake as it happens in japan.

In these   so projects I will need money, and I hope the minister of" finance will not let me down. I propose working for a full five-year term for showing sure results.

Sonie Facts about Education in India

1. In 1950-51, India had only 2,30,683 schools;  the number reaching 8, 40,538 in 2002-2003.

2.  the enrolment in schools in 1950-51 was just about 2.4 crore, and now (in 2002-03) it is 16.7 Crores.

3. At, the time of Independence India had only 25 universities (including the deemed Universities). In 2003, this number rose up to 259.

4.  The number of colleges which was about 700 in 1950 became 11089 by 2002-03.