Ask a retired Engineer, how much of the school and college syllabus was actually applicable to the chosen profession or was it difficult to practice as an Engineer. …how much of all the facts & figures, birth and death dates of freedom fighters, hundreds of equations in mathematics, chemical reactions, theories, derivations and so many other things, were actually required to be memorized? It really felt like hell to get the Degree. Many will not regret to speak with disgust about the study syllabus. College life is cool, but sadly not for Medicine and Engineering fields.
For eg., Engineering subjects like BME, BEE, IT etc. are required but subjects like Applied Mathematics and Applied Sciences especially physics which is so much in-depth and theory oriented, should not be forced upon the student who is already burdened with the vast portion. The high-tech matter which is taught in lower grades itself (11th and 12th ) must be taught in the specialized courses (Masters or PhD). Such excess study material would be useful only for those desiring to become scientists. Albert Einstein, Isaac Newton, Thomas Edison and several other famous scientists made discoveries, derived formulas, theories and derivations for the benefit of mankind.
This does not mean that students have to mug up and evaluate upon their formulae, theories and derivations. As a matter of fact, our education system is focused to make the students all scientists-in- one.
The present system hinders the creativity of an innovative student and does not allow to express the answers in own words, as Examiners look for word-to-word answers as appearing on text books. There is lack of practical approach as learning is a formality and becomes a traumatizing process.
Indian education teaches out-dated technologies. The Education system must be equipped to update the latest technologies in the curriculum so that the newly qualified job entrant is groomed to handle the actual technology that is being used in respective industry/units.
There is too much competition to get the highest percentage, not merely for prestige-sake or to be the parent’s delight but to get admission into particularly Medicine and Engineering, which offer very limited seats. Thus, only those with above 80-85% manage to get admission in their own State. The rest disperse into other streams (not of their liking) or are forced to go out of Goa. In fact, by the end of the Higher Secondary School, the aspiring student is in a dilemma and has to be mentally prepared to change the decision ..’if not Doctor, then Engineer’ or vice versa or may be Vocational !
We hope that the present government led by Prime Minister N.Modi and the concerned ministers with the help of educationists, make effort to change and upgrade the curriculum. In effect, it would make our ‘Make in India’ process stronger. This will improve the job prospects in India. So also, increasing the number of seats & infrastructure in Government Colleges must be taken up as a challenge by the present Government.
Together, we have to work hard to bring change in the education system. And not only in the education system; we first need to change the mind-set of us Indians (Society) as well..Can we do it?
