The word education has its roots in two Latin words: “educare” and “educere.” “Educare” by definition means to train, to form or to mold. Clearly it means that the society, through its educational system, has the responsibility and a sacred mandate to train, form, or to mold its citizens. “Educere” ostensibly defines the manner in which a society builds, leads, or develops its citizenry.
Education has remained the single most important factor in the prosperity of individuals, families and that of the Nation. Education has been recognised as the most powerful and vital tool for India’s development. Various researches both at national and international levels have proved that education significantly contributes in social and economic advancement of a nation. It has been said that no nation rises above the level of its education. Education is believed to be the bedrock of any serious nation’s development; hence it is incumbent on the Government and relevant stakeholders to take the issues of education seriously
India has many real life anecdotes of poor and illiterate parents, successfully providing education to their children, while living in abject poverty and once educated and employed they have changed not only their destiny but of their whole family, for a much better future, be it passing the IAS examinations, or joining the IITs or becoming a doctor, whatever. There are also any number of illustrations where rich and well to do parents have focused on the immediate appeasement of their children’s yearnings, like providing them impressive and expensive toys, providing them the best of food and clothing, giving them all kinds of freedoms. Many of them have ended up in jails for delinquency, some are drug addicts, some are social outcasts joining underworld and so on, even after admitting them to the best of educational institutions and paying hefty fees. Education, remains the single test of progress and future security, which includes in addition to knowledge, learning life skills and developing appropriate attitude towards one self and the society. In a democratic state, the government, has to necessarily fulfill this parental role in providing quality education and appropriate value and attitude development among the youth to secure their future and the future of the State and the Nation.
According to UN report India has the now the maximum youth population (those between the age of 10-24) (http://data.uis.unesco.org/?queryid=181) In a decade from now these will be the working/earning population of the country.
The bigger question? Doesn’t the present Government, owe a duty to equip them with necessary knowledge and skill to the future. The opportunity is now and not after ten years.
However much our political leaders speak about education the fact remains, we have in Goa schools without teachers, without necessary infrastructure, schools and colleges and even University with sever scarcity of teachers, qualified and experienced professors. Government seems to be only aiming at producing third class citizens for Goa’s tomorrow.
Having some central institutes, where hardly 20% Goans will get admitted and even those so admitted are most likely to go abroad for their employment, depriving Goa of its valuable human resources.
A truly concerned government should ensure quality and competitive education at all levels. The first requirement is adequate, qualified, trained and competent teachers, be it in the primary level or at the highest University levels. Students and youth will get better knowledge and acquire better skills, if and only if, there are qualified, competent and dedicated teachers. This is one area where Goa Government seems to have failed miserably, the news that there are schools without teachers or single teachers managing 4-5 classes at the same time, Goa University having 40% vacancy especially at the senior level is something to be pondered. Even the government engineering colleges having 20% vacant positions are indicative of the Government’s failure to cater to the needs of the Youth. The Government is yet to reach the mark of 6% GDP for education.
One unique, feature of the present day government both at the Centre as well as the State is that, they speak more about education but spend less and less on education. Like a true parent who would be interested more in the independence and future capabilities of their children, what is required of the Government is to provide ample opportunity for growth, to the youth, to the highest level they aspire to reach. In short provide them with the best of teachers and best of facilities and opportunities.
Education should create an enlightened society. So that educated elites will always tend to be responsive and responsible citizens. Nation-building requires ‘meritocratic’ individuals and not mediocrity. Nowadays political parties are very much interested in attracting youth to their fold, mainly because of their vote power, but most parties use them as pawns, to interfere in University level politics, students council elections etc thus distracting them from the essential business of learning.
The youth of India and especially of Goa should realise this game of the political parties and unite to form a front of their own to demand better educational facilities, filling up of all teaching positions, investment in educational technology for better quality education, for themselves and for their younger brothers and sisters. The youth of Goa should not allow the political leaders to play with their future but demand that the State should provide them the best possible quality education for their future and the future of the State.
(The writer is a Professor of Law & Former Dean, Faculty of Law, Goa University)
