AS the teachers are
still whining and feeling the pinch of biometric attendance and the simmer of
discomfiture and resentment has yet not subsided, the state government has decided to hammer another nail to screw tight and face
lift the dwindling education system by formation of Inspection Cadre Cell and that too
with an army of 94 people. Perhaps, slowly and slowly it is percolating down to
the understanding of the government and the officers at higher echelons that
the major reason for the horrible results and debacle of SSA and RMSA have been
the absence of effective monitoring. Issuing notifications and scribbling down
rules on papers have so far been the modus operandi of those at the helm of
these projects, But it needs to be recognised that paper-boats can only
entertain and give joy to a child for some time, but one cannot have a voyage
in it. This time, it seems, that the big bosses are serious to facelift the dilapidated
system because to take lesson from the mistakes is the strength of a wise
person and to repeat the same mistake is the love of fools.
The
Inspection Cadre seems to have relevance because the officers at the
directorate level hardly have the time to visit the schools and have an idea of
the academic on goings and goings on in the schools. So because the Education
Department is that vast and varied. Whatever scanty visits are made is the
outcome of the complaints made to the department. Teacher, politician,
bureaucrats – everyone seems to be worried about the education and wants to
improve, but this only remains a wishful thinking and things do not go beyond
the inked paper orders and should and would be advices. Through the whole
session, no pains is taken to see if the academics are going the ideal way in
the school. To wake up after a long slumber of whole year and then look for the
100% results is not only unjust but also logically out of place. To brandish
the sword of transfer and increment loss are no solution, these are, in fact,
short-cut formula that will lead to bigger problems. By transferring the
teacher, you only transfer the problem. The 100% result bar will only move the
state on to make it another Bihar. To rob Peter to pay the debt of Harry is no
wisdom at all.
To
improve present system of education is not an easy call, yet the formation of
inspection showcases the genuine concern of the state government. Whether it
will be able to realize the objectives for which it has been formed cannot be
ascertained because the RMSA and SSA were also started with great zeal and
zest, but what came out is known to all and sundry. The new Inspection Cadre
Cell will consist of those people who are on the verge of promotion and many of
them will have a withering zeal. Amidst such circumstances, it cannot be predicted
as to how long, how well and whereto the same old stewards will lead this new
train. Whether they would be able to re-rail the badly derailed system is open
for speculations and we can hope only.
Biometric attendance and Inspection cadre –
the two steps of the express that the officers and the government believes that
the teachers are not sincere to discharge their duties in the school. But can
the whole teaching community be groups only this column? Certainly not for we
still have teachers who have made the education department proud. If at all, the
people at helm of affairs have this fixed stance regarding teachers, it is worthwhile
to see whether the newly formed cell will ever pinpoint and track these
shirkers and truants. If it fails, its accountability and responsibility be
also fixed as, after all, the cell that has 94 people it should serve some purpose.
And dear inspectors and enquiry officers, make the enquiry reports carefully
because the teachers are not that weak and birdbrains as you might have estimated
them to be. The cell may get choked up with the files of enquiry reports and
court cases.
No
doubt, the Inspection cell is a cog in the wheel, but just a cog because the
education system needs much more to be done. The policy of all passes up to 8th
standard has been a big headache for teachers and the educationists. Though
many states has openly criticised the no detention policy time and again, but
the MHRD ministers have not been doing anything significant regarding this.
They have come, criticised this policy, but have done nothing except throwing the
juicy words to the people. How long will the teachers have to work like babus
and when will they get rid of paperwork? Will they ever get rid of the
census, elections and many other nonteaching activities and will they ever be
able to divert their whole attention to
teaching? What about the posts
that lying vacant for long period in schools?
Though
the education is clogged with many drawbacks and problems, yet the Inspection
Cadre is a positive step. However, the stewards of the system need to be
careful because it is difficult to digest the first peg of wine. Remember the
words of some wise person: “it is better to prepare and prevent than repair and
repent.”
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