Putting education on course

What is a professional education? Does it refer to the subjects that are taught as part of the course or it is the way these subjects are taught? If it is the former, how do you explain the fact that IITians have become bestselling fiction writers, doctors have become famous artists and so on. Perhaps, then, it is the way these subjects are taught, and the rigour that students are expected to exercise.

Fresh look

It is time to take a fresh look at the way professional education is imparted in India and overhaul the system. We have to find new ways to train students to take up newer professions.

Further, the existing examination oriented system merely tests the ability of students to memorise. They know the Pythagoras theorem but they do not realise that it is the bedrock of the entire trigonometry that they cram later on. In school they learn their civics lessons by rote, but do not end up leading a socially aware life. A student passing the secondary examination has to do an entrance exam to get into a good higher secondary school/pre-university college. A student passing the higher secondary/pre-university examination, is not considered fit to pursue his/her choice of professional education, and so has to do another entrance test to do so. After graduation comes another entrance test in order to be eligible for further education.

Road ahead

Our teachers are more involved in testing than in teaching. Where’s the question of inspiring students? So, what’s the road ahead?

The road ahead would be to stop memory tests by the age of 16, teach basic skills in mathematics, science, social studies and values, and put the students through a rigorous life-skills course for two years, instead of putting them through the grind of pre-university mugging.

Simultaneously, hone their skills in the three Rs reading, writing, arithmetic), and give them training in problem solving, communication, creativity, and empathy. Then let them choose their career paths!

Allow students to take up courses they want, not what the university can offer. Make education inclusive, not exclusive. Offer students diverse courses and prepare them to be professionals by making them work hard to complete assignments, make presentations, hold seminars and take tests.

so many questions

In the career counselling columns of newspapers we find young people asking about all kinds of courses. For example, if there is a dearth of deep sea welders, is there a course to teach this profession? Or is just a small-time vocation to be relegated to a corner?

Students often ask how to become an astronaut. Is there a professional course for that? Hair stylists earn crores, so can we tell them what courses are available? Does one need to be an engineer first to become the star salesman of an insurance company? Does one need to be a homoeopathic or ayurvedic doctor to work in medical transcription?

Why can’t we teach good mathematicians to become good derivative analysts? Why do good financial analysts have to be engineers? Why are commerce graduates not professional accountants?

So many questions demanding so many answers! If the universities of tomorrow can come up with courses that train students to take up specific professions, it would be an ideal situation.

Of course, general graduates will go on to become professionals in their chosen vocations , but if universities can help them by imparting training in their chosen vocation, they would be doing yeomen service to the field of professional education.

(The author is Director, Bapuji B-schools, Davangere, Karnataka.)

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