The Hindu Business Line : Lessons in education

Although few might question the moral righteousness of the Supreme Court decision to confirm the quotas for the Other Backward Classes, a bit of scientific questioning should not come amiss. It is important to ensure that the scheme achieves what it sets out to do. For, there is no more certain axiom than the need for quality education and health services as a basis of development anywhere — more so in the emerging economies. In India, this must remain the core of inclusive growth.

Relaxing the terms

Let us remember, relaxing the terms of entry to OBC at the highest levels of professional education is but an extension of what has already been done for the Scheduled Castes and Tribes. A brief examination of the record critically would show that, first of all, we must clearly ensure that enough students capable of reaching the lowered standards apply. In the case of SC and ST this has not been so. Bridging classes, coaching and counselling help but rarely enough to fill the full quota of entrants. The problem may be less with the OBC who are expected to be from a better social and educational background. Yet, all reservation is taking the horse to the water — making it drink is another matter.

It is a stark reality that the ambition to acquire coveted degrees is far more widespread than the ability to put in the hard work or the talent to do so. Remove the pressure to prove such ability, by being granted lower qualifying grades, and students would take the passing of exams and jobs for granted. This way a poorly equipped and less hardworking category of doctors, engineers, managers and every other kind of professional will emerge — and nobody gains as a result.

It is a horrendous misfortune that even the regulatory bureaucracy is comfortable with rating the notion of variable quality of institutions, signalling expectations of lower quality from some. So we hear we the casual remark, “Oh, he is from a Tier-II management institute”. The tendency for hierarchy and status in anything runs deep in our veins. Worse still, some of our highly acclaimed companies have long justified different levels of entry and salary for the first and second tier of MBAs.

Acceptable levels of knowledge

One wonders how many of us will be equally sanguine about a Tier-II doctor? Go to him for the common cold and upgrade to a Tier-I doctor for bronchial asthma? Or would you call in an architect, lawyer or civil engineer, knowing he is Tier-II? If we wish to avoid this happening, there is only one way: To concentrate on the minimum acceptable levels of knowledge and proven competence before anyone (regardless of class, caste or creed) is allowed to wear the convocation robes!

In professional education, to have both easy entrance and an easy exit, with lowered expectations in between, will be to court failure.

S. RAMACHANDER