Universities are expected to be as centres of learning, with freedom to think, innovate, create and even criticise ideas and governances. For a state University like Goa University the quality and kinds of education very much depends upon the State and its attitude towards the University and the academia. The one pertinent reason why Goa University has not evolved into a National/international centre of learning and its failure to provide the best quality education, is definitely the State’s attitude towards the University and the state dealings, especially the failure of the state to provide adequate financial support in the form of funding for research, appoint of sufficient faculty and staff and encouragement to create new departments and to invent and innovate.
There is total failure to recruit competent, experienced and expert faculty. The responsibility of the State government is much greater, when there is only one University in Goa and the existing laws do not permit the setting up of another University in Goa. The State Government is responsible for the quality and variety of educational opportunities available to Goan students. There is no excuse for any governments past, present and future, because most of the time the Education portfolio was handled by the Chief Ministers, which clearly shows that the successive governments were aware of their responsibility but failed to fulfil this most felt need of the Goan people, for quality education.
The recent media report that the Goa Government has appointed one of the faculties at Goa University as a vigilance officer is not just shocking but a regressive step for Goa University. First of all the use of an academician for a non academic work is inappropriate, that too spying, secondly when one among the ranks is given power to go around and spy the functioning of others. It will certainly affect the functioning of academics. The thought that a spy is around all the time reminds one of the USSR era when the infamous secret police “Cheka” , and the East German secret police “Stasi” created havoc in the lives of ordinary people. All these finally resulted in the disintegration of these Nations.
No doubt there may be instances of some financial impropriety by some persons or departments or officials of the university, at some point of time, but that should not shift the government’s priority and prime responsibility of providing quality education to the youth of Goa. It is a common knowledge that there are many other departments of the government, where corruption is rampant, the Government chooses to close a Nelson’s eye to all such areas of corruption, but designs to interfere with the University. This attitude does not auger well for Goa and its youth.
Creating a kind of extra constitutional authority within the system will, by itself, affect not only the autonomy but even the very quality of education. There are of course many other effective ways of dealing with misappropriation and the like in any organisation. But the way in which it is done speaks of Government’s high handedness and total lack of concern for academic freedom and quality of education.
It is very disappointing to see that whenever the Chief Minister, who is also the Education Minister, addresses educational institution or academicians he speaks of development of scientific temper, quality education, etc, but, by his decisions and actions, obstructs and prevents development of these very attributes in academic institutions. These qualities of excellence cannot be developed by regimentation, financial deprivation and constant surveillance but by encouragement, support to academia and the necessary academic freedom to innovate, experiment and create.
Education is something that the politicians should not tinker with myopic vision and personal prejudices. The concern for the future and the interest of the youth should the prime concern, any policy or action which will adversely affect the interest of the future of the youth of the State needs matured consideration.
One of the fundamental reasons why the Indian Higher education is not of global standard is because of governmental interference is a well known fact. Education is a key driver of economic success and social mobility.
Of course Government has the power and politicians are powerful, but their actions, not policies, determine the quality and standard of education of the Goan youth and their future. Whether the youth of today should just be mediocre citizens of Goa, who rather sail out of its shores for earning their livelihood or become economically independent and capable leaders of tomorrow, would certainly depend upon the government’s attitude towards education and educators.
(The writer is a professor of law and former dean of Goa University)
