Govt educational institutes in bad condition

Sir,

A large number of educational institutes run by the Government in Jammu Province whether they be schools, colleges or Polytechnics are in a very bad condition. The infrastructure of these institutes is not upto the requirement. The buildings of these institutes are in a dilapidated State. The walls of these buildings have developed cracks in them symbolising the loopholes which have developed between the Government and the Departments run by it. During rainy days there is seepage of water through the walls as a result of which water gets collected at the back of the black boards making it difficult for the teachers to write on it and hence, deliver the lecture, to the students. Furniture, which is the main part of an educational institute is seen no where in many of these institutes, consequently, students are compelled to sit on the ground in this so-called modern world. Thus, if one wants to have a glimpse of hell then he, she must pay a visit to these institutes. The present age is the science age and the things related to science can be well studied by doing the experiments. But, how can the students studying in Government schools or colleges do these experiments when the laboratories associated with these experiments are not well equipped with the apparatus required to perform these experiments.

Evidently, the Government is playing mockery with the future of the students studying in the institutes run by it. Thus one does not comprehend why the Government is not releasing money for upgrading the infrastructure of its educational institutes and if it is releasing why it is not reaching the concerned department of these institutes? Whatever be the reason behind this cause but one thing is clear that the politics which is considered to be the dirty game is making its way into the educational institutes and the persons (who so ever they may be) who have come under its influence are warming up their pockets with the money released for the developmental works.

Yours etc...
Narinder Singh
MAM College,
Jammu.

Punish guilty

Sir,

The recent raid by police on a house Karan Nagar where Class 12th students were caught re-writing their answer sheets after the normal examination at the St. Peter School centre was over. I am myself a teacher and I am ashamed that such an episode did take place. The BOSE is responsible for fair and smooth conduct of these public examinations and to me it seems that these has been a failure in the system with regard to this examination centre. The BOSE authorities should conduct an in-depth inquiry and eliminate from this organization all such elements who are found to be a part of this kind a malpractice so that the credibility of the board and its examinations is not eroded.

The fault in such happenings belongs to my community, the teachers also. It is us who for petty gains participate in these nefarious activities and the board authorities become a scapegoat. I am fully conscious that even one upright teacher in any centre is sufficient to check mal-practice in examination. The BOSE has done a commendable job in putting a full stop to the menace of masscopying and selective copying as that was the order in examination centres a few year back. The Board authorities are using innovative techniques to direct and bring to book the guilty.

This episode is an isolated case when examination is going on at hundreds of centres in the entire State and one should be conscious, pragmatic and truthful to comment on this episode because we can not afford any damage to the credibility of the board and its examinations. The good work done by the Board in the past few years can not be brushed aside because of one isolated episode like the St. Peter School Centre. I am also aware that Board has been punishing students as well as teachers and above all its own employees for their involvement in such acts as are malpractices in the examinations. Examination of many students was cancelled, many teachers were disqualified from performing Board duties and above all services of one Assistant Secretary of the Board were terminated, and many employees of the Board punished by withholding one to five annual increments on account of their involvement. Certain elements in the teacher's community are trying to blow this episode out of proportion for personal reasons. This attitude is quite disgusting keeping in view their personal records.

There are many such elements is our community and among board employees also. And such elements is them need to be identified and punished.

The students involved and their parents are also responsible and must mend their ways so that only deserving students move ahead.

Yours etc...
Ram Kumar
Teacher