The recent tragic events involving civil service aspirants and students at coaching centres have shed light on several systemic issues that demand urgent attention. These tragedies are not isolated incidents but are symptomatic of deeper problems within our education and civic systems.
The Call for Accountability and Reform in Civic Services
The death of civil service aspirants serves as a stark reminder of the consequences of compromised civic services. Ineffectual agencies and staff, combined with a lackadaisical attitude, have resulted in failures that cost lives. Aruna Sharma, a former secretary at the Ministry of Electronics and IT, underscores the need for future civil servants to uphold the true objectives of the sector, particularly in systematic town planning. This tragedy calls for accountability from regulatory and sanctioning authorities, and a re-evaluation of improper building usages. It is a pivotal moment to emphasize the importance of a bureaucracy that operates with integrity and courage.
Addressing the Coaching Craze and Exam Inequities
The coaching culture has become an almost unavoidable part of students’ lives, especially those preparing for competitive exams like NEET and JEE. However, Dr. Manish Jangra, founder of FAIMA, highlights critical flaws in the current system. The 2024 NEET UG paper leak and the postponement of the NEET PG exam are glaring examples of systemic inefficiencies. Randomly allotted test centres, managed by untrained staff, further exacerbate the stress on students. The government needs to consider conducting NEET UG in a Computer-based Test mode to prevent paper leaks and ensure a more reliable examination process.
Moreover, the reliance on expensive coaching classes places an additional financial burden on middle-class families. Many government schoolteachers, despite their qualifications, prefer earning extra income through coaching rather than focusing on effective teaching in schools. Dr. Jangra advocates for integrating NEET and JEE content into the school curriculum, so students are better prepared without needing to depend on external coaching.
The Need for a Well-Regulated Educational Environment
The pressure to succeed in competitive exams has created a thriving, yet unregulated, coaching industry that often prioritizes results over students’ well-being. Commodore SR Sridhar (Retd), registrar of IIIT-Bangalore, points out the lack of formal regulatory bodies overseeing these coaching centres. These centres, originally intended to supplement formal education, now impose immense pressure on students, contributing to a highly stressful environment. To safeguard future generations, it is crucial to address these systemic issues and ensure that the educational environment is more humane, supportive, and well-regulated.
Universal Access to Information and Holistic Student Development
The reliance on coaching centres is often driven by parental aspirations, self-pressure, and peer pressure. However, Sudha Acharya, principal of ITL Public School, argues that this trend is a consequence of the failures within the core educational system. The coaching industry has thrived by exploiting students’ fears and insecurities, often operating in cramped spaces devoid of basic facilities. Instead of nurturing holistic student development, these centres focus solely on academic results.
Acharya advocates for a shift towards skill development, industry interfacing, and internships as integral parts of the education system. Career counselling and mentorship programmes should be standardized to guide students effectively. Furthermore, providing universal access to relevant information can reduce students’ reliance on coaching centres, allowing them to make informed decisions about their future.
Conclusion
These tragic events should serve as a wake-up call for all stakeholders involved in education and civic services. Whether it’s ensuring accountability within civic services, reforming the coaching industry, or providing universal access to information, these issues need to be addressed with urgency and sincerity. By doing so, we can create a more equitable and supportive environment for students and future civil servants alike.
