Excellence in education

Excellence in education:

Agnihi : Purvebhirishibhridyo nutanairuta I

sa devam eha vaksati II (2)

We believe, “Vedas” are the first organized books in the world, “Veda” is “knowledge” , the motto of “Veda” is to transform knowledge. The broad meaning of this 2nd Shloka (verse) of “Rigveda” is, every citizen has the fundamental right to get an excellent education in an excellent institute. In which the fundamental cause of providing the basic logical thinking process in the mind by creating new thoughts that provide creative solutions. In other words the knowledgeable person must transform their knowledge to the society (without prejudice).

Above shloka is adversely justifying the behavior of Guru Drona towards Eklavya. He was not allowed to get a good education from a good institute. It was personalize inclination towards Arjuna because no one should be better than Arjuna. But as a teacher it was an unethical decision. Let’s switch over from Satyuga to Kalyuga, today neither teacher nor institution is denied to give knowledge.

In our country 1.3 million primary and more than 30,000 higher education institutions are serving education to the youth. If you are aware of the educational phenomenon with a common man attitude your answer to the number of best institutes is restricted to IITs, IIMs, NITs and probably some deemed and autonomous institutions. These numbers are very few, that is 16 IITs, 13 IIMs and 30 NITs. If someone asks you, list out the best arts, commerce and science colleges, it is a hammered job. Why are we not aware of these colleges? Because these are not well marketed, colleges never propagate the student who is awarded a gold medal, national scholarship and other achievements in sports and culture etc. College never expresses pride in their learned and devoted teachers, even though the renowned scientists or Nobel laureates produced. Most of the colleges were slaughtered due to authority centered attitude. It always seems that providing education with high quality is a huge task and a mirage. This is always debatable that, the teachers in all Science, Arts and Commerce colleges are equally educated, recruited through the same procedure by the same Government, even though the quality of education is found dissimilar in different institutions. The simple reason is, the quality never comes directly from higher degrees, but the positive attitude towards Education, Research and students play a major role. The institution has teachers with students’ oriented and institutional centered attitude become excellent, this excellence grows by the team work and managerial gesture of teachers, principal and Management. Before a couple of decades, the fame of the institute was restricted up to its sub-district, district or state, but today the scenario is effervescent. In 11th plan approximately 46000 crore. Grants allotted to UGC by MHRD for the overall development of students’, Research and infrastructure. All the institutes which are affiliated to UGC under 2 (f) and 12 (B) rules are entitled to get these grants. Those institutions and teachers are aware and keen to draw much more grants for the developments, they are always entitled for excellence, they also identified by agencies like National Assessment and accreditation Council (NAAC). NAAC is the agency established by the UGC with an autonomous status which examine, assess and finally accredit the institute with various grades like A, B, C, if institution didn’t find up to the mark will award with grade D, it means that this institute is not entitled to get any benefits from UGC and discontinues affiliation with the University if it is failing to get accreditation from NAAC. This is a good move performed by the UGC to awaken the lethargic and snoozing institutions. NAAC strongly believe to provide good education, active participation of students in Co and extracurricular activities, infrastructural facilities like affirmative classrooms, laboratories, library, sanitary facilities, sports facilities, drinking water, canteen, girls’ room, open moving space like a garden, ICT facilities like Internet, Wi-Fi, computer lab, e-governance, ICT enable classrooms and laboratories etc. Parents’ contacts and students’ counseling is also a major criteria of the assessment. NAAC never counts only classroom teaching and high results but they also observe the potential for overall excellence in the institution.

UGC not only allotted the grants for general developments but it also identifies the few institutes out of 33000 colleges from India with great Potential for Excellence under the scheme “The College with Potential for Excellence” (CPE). Under his scheme, the selected college will receive extra grants of rupees One crore for the entire development of the college. The status of CPE will open all limits of quality through which this beneficiary institute can show overall growth. Adoption of needy village is the most convincing endeavor for students as an extension activity in which AIDS awareness, cleanliness, play garden, right to education, elder education, sanitation and other health programs are to be conducted under the direct guidance of institution, NSS and teachers, these sorts of activities create a sensitive and responsible corner in students’ minds. ICT up-gradation of campus, classrooms, laboratories and the department is the addition of modern facilities. Campus beautification is the primary necessity for the institution to nourish the eyes of students, teachers and visitors. The institution with A grade and CPE status is evolutionary giraffe’s neck which can be seen high among others. Students are stepping high in the campus by getting an excellent education with ultramodern technology, excellent infrastructure facilities, students’ governance, continuous evaluation and campus placement activities.

State government was suddenly inspired by the UGC and NAAC to assess the quality of education and administration through Academic and Administrative Audit (AAA). This is almost similar procedure carried out by the state education department every year like NAAC instead of every five years. Government targeting such institutions which are poor and substandard as well as those which are preparing for accreditation from NAAC. They also announce to give better facilities and enough teachers to the college which will acquire good grades. 

All efforts toward the betterment and excellence achieved, if the human machinery of collage works in the proper direction without any personal prejudice and self disciplined manner. The torque generated to the institutional power house is the internal Quality Assurance Cell (IQAC). This cell is established by the head of the institution by engaging teachers who are well aware with UGC, MHRD and state government policies.

Excellence never comes by the magic stick, huge architectural construction and glorious history, but this is a long term holy worship towards education, commitment to the institution and loving attitude towards students.

Sparkling words:

RTE: Right to “educate”

Glimpse from my speech delivered at National Seminar 

Dr Nikunj Bhatt 

drnikunjbhatt@gmail.com 

09825293238