On your marks, get set and go

Updated on: Monday, November 02, 2009

Calling for more “weightage” to be given to the Class XII Board exams towards the Joint Entrance Examination for admission to the Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) in order to check the mushrooming JEE coaching industry may not be a wholesome solution to the problem, feel experts. It is argued that because of the time spent at coaching institutes, many students are neglecting their higher secondary school education. This say educationists is cause for concern.

Says Usha Ram, Principal, Laxman Public School, New Delhi, “We cannot afford to dilute our school education, which forms the basis for the development of any student. Instead, we need to stabilise and give value to school education, which is not happening. The present system does not allow for the 12 years of schooling to have a bearing on admission into the IITs. We require an integrated approach whereby both the purpose of school education and entrance exams like these are served. For instance, we can add value to the CBSE /Boards courses with respect to these exams or we can introduce separate sections in the CBSE format dedicated to them.’’

A three-member committee has been set up to look into the curriculum and the IIT-JEE system that will submit its report within three months.

Says Dr DR Saini, Principal, DPS, RK Puram, Delhi “The coaching industry is undermining the importance of senior secondary education and exploiting the vulnerability of students and parents. The system should change for the better and provide a conducive environment for students and all other concerned stakeholders. We should strengthen our school system. A consensus should be built across the country to integrate both the Boards as well as these entrance exams and find a common solution to the problems.”

However, the coaching institutes believe that they are the ones who are making students realise their dreams. According to them, the government is adding an extra burden on students and the weightage proposal will push students towards coaching classes.

Claims DV Rao, Vice-Chairman, Narayana IIT Academy, “Professional coaching institutes cannot be written off as long as they satisfy the requirements of society. Our aim is not to dilute any system but to function like an additional tool that is useful for students in this competitive scenario. The world over, students take coaching assistance for their better understanding of a subject. In fact, a lot of Indian teachers are giving tuitions to overseas students online. The government should look at one common entrance exam for all engineering/ medical colleges in the country to avoid harassing students and parents”

Says TN Chaudhury, Director, Turning Point Institute, “Higher qualifying marks will not hit the coaching institutes, but the poor students instead. The perception that coaching institutes are affecting the school education system is baseless as these are alternative arrangements created due to a highly competitive environment. The problem lies with the system and they are just passing the buck on.” Chaudhury goes on to question why the IITs are experimenting with their exam pattern that has not changed for over a decade. “There is a set exam pattern in other developed countries for similar tests. Why isn’t the Centre merging the AIEEE exam with IIT-JEE thus reducing the burden on students? It would be better if we created a pool of good teachers at every level rather than get obsessed with IITs.”

There is no doubt that several coaching institutes have come up but they will continue to flourish as long as the standard of education in government institutes remains poor.

The government needs to target several issues like lack of good faculty at all levels, integrating relevant examination systems, creating a solid infrastructure at the school level, monitoring the standard of education at private colleges, opening more branches of premier institutions etc.

These changes would make it easier for students to develop and build their future in a more conducive environment without ignoring the basics.

On your marks, get set and go

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