Intention vs Repercussion

Intention vs Repercussion

The intention of the HRD ministry to do away with the Class-X Board Examination in the CBSE schools by relegating it to the status of “optional”, in lieu of the “soon to be” erstwhile (is to be implemented from the year 2011) “mandatory” must have been based on some valid reasons. The decision makers are all learned people and as long as the policies are introduced with the benefit of the students as the sole catalyst, they shall be welcomed. The future of the country (and the world, when looked at the larger picture) is actually in the hands of the kids of today.
But normally no “vision” that is translated into policy attains its full potential in our country, however well-meaning the policy-makers are. Maybe this is a case of “Statistical Improbability”! Though the purists might disagree with my interpretation of the cause, the glaring evidences can’t be ignored even if various theories are forwarded after the retro-analyses of such instances.

The actual problem lies in the fact that the policy-makers, the people who are entrusted with the job of implementing them and those who become the custodian of the policies by executing the policies are not the same people; they are all different. The same set of people can’t look into the three different aspects simultaneously. The inherent impossibility requires decentralization of the labour to see the fruition of the policy. But whether the policy will fully blossom into a beautiful flower or will have a stunted blooming depends upon the intent and sincerity of the people involved.
The policy-makers, having envisioned the idea, have an attachment with it like their own baby. But the ones who implement these to be subsequently executed by the executors need to share the same vision by being sincere in their share of the work. But this seldom is the case even if the policy-makers come with some great policies with the best of intentions. Thus the chain either breaks completely or loses intensity and direction.

I am apprehensive of this very fate awaiting the decision of abolishing the Class-X Board Examination by the HRD ministry. Well, this is not a negative thinking which it might apparently seem to be. “Frequent occurrences of coincidences lead to generalization”- to quote myself! As then coincidences lose their identity. Still I am keeping my fingers crossed!

While formulating the policy it has been decided that there shall be internal assessment through Class-IX and Class-X. The assessment is being called Continuous and Comprehensive Evaluation, CCE, spread out over a specified number of class tests and evaluation procedures. I quite agree with the method, as the continuous evaluation will necessitate a student to be regular with the studies.
But the problem lies in it’s implemention by the schools concerned. The interpretation of the policy should not be ambiguous, rather be absolute to maintain parity and thus avoid victimization of students of different schools.

Furthermore, the most fearsome factor here is the party who will execute it—the teachers. Yes, you have read the last sentence absolutely correctly! I would be a hypocrite, if I ignore this fact I myself being a teacher.
Teachers, though not all but a very high percentage of them, have forgotten their “actual calling”. Rather it would be more correct to say that instead of educating the kids in the true sense, they consider “minting money” their actual vocation. Their main aim is to “earn” and not make students “learn” the nuances of the subject, leave aside helping in the character building of the students.

I am aware of the various methods they adopt to coerce the students of their own school in enrolling for private tuitions with them in spite of the kid’s utmost dislike for and disillusionment regards, the teacher. If they dare to defy, they face the wrath of the teacher in the form of “being failed” in the examination or secure very less marks (that is if they are lucky enough).
Still do you feel that my fears are misplaced? The absolute powers in the hands of the “in-house” teachers might boomerang. There is multitude of options with varying degree of corresponding misappropriation. Situation can become highly volatile given the deceit and conceit prevalent, shamefully and unpardonably in this “once” noble profession.

Though the policy is worth a try and I also know that it will have its teething troubles, I think it should primarily incorporate a “rider” on the assessment powers of the executors—the teachers. Maybe by creating a panel of teachers in each school, comprising of a select few of unimpeachable integrity and highest caliber as teachers, will see to the attainment of the full potential of the policy. If not, this intention of the HRD ministry will have far reaching and hurting repercussions which will force the policy makers to mull over the “retro-intention” of chucking off this new “intention” proposed towards the betterment of education.

Sushmita Mukherjee,
14th September 2009