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This is an archive article published on February 14, 2000

Call to revamp education system

MUMBAI, FEBRUARY 13: There is an immediate need to improve the education system which has today become just another business venture. Thes...

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MUMBAI, FEBRUARY 13: There is an immediate need to improve the education system which has today become just another business venture. These and similar views were exchanged at a teachers conference on `Education in the new millennium’ on Sunday at the IES Sabhagraha, Dadar.

The function was organised by the National Education Society and the National Centre for R&D in education, science & technology with the South Indian Education Society (SIES), with active participation of the Seers of the Kanchi Kamakoti Peetam.

At the meeting attended by 600 delegates from 273 schools of Mumbai, one could sense the underlying exasperation of the speakers who said that the present generation of teachers left a lot to be desired.

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However, others like MN Wahia of TIFR, said that within their limitations, teachers were doing `a damn good job’. He was also surprised at the lack of reaction from the large gathering at the criticism they were being subject to.

The programme started with a Poorna Kumbha reception. V Shankar of the SIES expressed sadness at the way education was becoming just another business. He added that by concentrating on setting up more higher education institutes when we should be providing primary education, was like creating a tree without roots.

According to Dr K Venkatasubramanian, member, Planning Commission (Education), teachers are good but not up to-date and that women’s education was being ignored. Hitting out strongly at educators he said that our education was making animals out of humans as the system created minds, lungs, hands and legs but no heart. Jagatguru, Jayendra Saraswati of the Kanchi Peetam, called for a teaching system based on Indian cultural values which could run parallel to a western scientific education. Talking to the teachers he said the gathering should try and absorb the new ideas that were being presented at the meet and understand their message.

Augustine Pinto, Mumbai sheriff, S Ramani, director, National Centre for Software Technology, Prof V G Kulkarni of the Homi Bhabha Centre for Science and Education were also present.

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