No system degenerates in isolation. Nor do systems regenerate in isolation. Every process of reconstruction and revamping requires a through examination of both the internal and external environments. Concern for education, good education, needs to be examined within this framework. Attempts to enhance the quality of education have often been confined to augmentation of infrastructural inputs, additional manpower and a couple of programmes and activities which mostly have either been a continuation or expansion of earlier ones. The quality of education remains a matter of serious concern before the nation even after five decades of independence. This applies equally to elementary education, school education at the secondary stage and education in universities and colleges. The focus on quality education would continue to grow in the age of globalisation and liberalisation. Mediocrity would be simply unacceptable everywhere and anywhere.India has established professional institutes of the highest standards, and their products are sought after by developed countries. Certain developments of the past few years have, however, not been very encouraging. The number ofinstitutions of management and engineering has grown. This normally should bean expected and welcome development. But establishment of institutions has not always been guided by concern for quality and educational ethics. As a result, the quality spectrum in these sectors has become too blurred and varied. A large number of degree-holders at one end of the spectrum have takers, ready to offer them the best of the job opportunities, while those at the other end look for jobs for years together. There are ample instances of underemployment in areas which are the most promising professional avenuesfor bright young persons. The pressure on educational system is increasing manifold. Admissions to professional courses, in spite of expansion, have become more difficult and are often beyond the capabilities of higher and middle income groups. This applies now even to the teacher preparation courses, earlier considered within the reach of everyone.One of the most popular courses, the Bachelor of Education (B.Ed), is considered a passport to a job in schools everywhere in the country. The lasttwo decades have seen an an astonishing phenomenon. Correspondence courses leading to the B.Ed degree were introduced by many universities with the aim of utilising the distance education strategy for teacher preparation. Most of these courses have been transformed into money-spinners and the quality was totally ignored. The National Council for Teacher Education (NCTE), set up in 1995, has succeeded in regulating such low-quality programmes. The B.Ed degree scandal in Bihar was unearthed at the NCTE's initiative. The question that arises from this instance is: how did the nation allow continuance of poor-quality programmes in the field of education for so many years? This would have a lasting impact on the growth of millions of children.Another fast-emerging trend in school education throughout the country is the loss of credibility of schools established by the government. The community is increasingly distancing itself from these schools and is turningto private schools. It often has genuine reasons to do so. The efficiency ofthe established school system has deteriorated in the eyes of the people. Thesense of commitment, performance and accountability has become extremely weak here in contrast to privately managed schools where everyone is aware ofthe need to put up a performance that will have community approval and appreciation from the management. Unless and until the government school systems run on taxpayers' money acknowledge their public accountability, the deterioration will continue. This should be checked before it is too late. Itshould be possible to ensure quality performance in these institutions particularly at the elementary and secondary stages as they continue to caterto a majority of the children in the country. In rural India, these are largely the only option, though private schooling arranged by the community or individuals is emerging even in big villages.The issue of language learning and medium of instructions is also emerging as a critical pressure area in the process of schooling. After five decades of independence, it is beyond doubt, the craze for English-medium schools has increased manifold. Mostly, only those unable to afford them do not send their children to these schools. The nation needs to examine the emerging fate of regional languages. It is not hard to meet children in metropolitan cities who have spent 10 years in school but are not able to read and write in their mothertongue. It needs to be ensured that the mothertongue alone is the medium of instructions in the initial period of schooling and is continuously learnt for 10 to 12 years. Serious and sustained efforts for parental awareness are needed in this area.Social structures are changing fast. Nuclear families often deprive childrenof affection, cohesion and family values. Working parents and lack ofinteraction with other members of the close family are also responsible for this state of affairs. Values, normally inculcated within the home, are now supposed to be the responsibility of the school system. Schools, of course, have played a major part in value inculcation even in the past but the pressure on them in future will be manifold.Much is expected of the new information technology by way of assistance to the process of teaching, learning and growing up. There is no doubt that vast avenues of accessing information and knowledge have opened up. However, it has also brought to each home and to each individual, excess of violence, sex and drugs. The `entertainment' it provides often includes programmes notin tune with values and traditions even in a dynamic society. In a sense, newmedia are creating more problems of schooling than it is solving.The nation has realised the need for community responsibility and accountability in the process of elementary education. China achieved educational expansion through community support and efforts. Gandhiji always pleaded for the same. The last couple of decades have seen a growing trend ofcommunity alienation. It is difficult but not impossible to reverse this trend. This can be done only through a strong national resolve to trust the teachers, equip them professionally without compromising on the quality and taking the community in confidence.Education at every stage must provide transparent procedures of access to everyone. The gap between the economically weaker and the elite must not come in the way of the youth. Will the stake-holders in education take up the challenge? And who is not a stake-holder in education?òf40óThe writer is Director, NCERTThe B.Ed scam in Bihar prompts the query: how did the nation allow such poor-quality teacher education for year, with its impact on millions of children?
