Shortcomings of scholarship scheme

Sir,

This is in reference to the letter by one Sunil Sharma dated 12th November 2003 published in the Daily Excelsior. Mr Sunil has rightly pointed out the shortcomings of the scholarship scheme of the science and technology department. However, there is something more which needs to be added. Firstly, he has written that he had qualified for the scholarship, but this is not really true because not only had he qualified it, he had also topped in the Jammu Province. But inspite of that, he along with 25 others from each of Udhampur, Jammu and Srinagar, provinces were given Rs 150/- per month for just 2 years.

Secondly the department publishes its advertisements regarding scholarships very poorly. When the result of 2002-2003 year was declared, it was not published in the Daily Excelsior which has an extensive reader base in J&K. In one of the advertisements, regarding the receipt of second installment, dated 18.9.2003, the date for collection of cheques was fixed from 22nd Sept to 10th October 2003. But when I reached there on 23 or 24 September, I was told "cheque nahin aaya hai, do-char din baad aana". I came after said period and fortunately got the cheque. But to come to the Deptt. and to meet the concerned person, one has to miss a full college day because it seems that the department hasn't fixed any office hours. Instead of 8 a.m. the officers come at 9 a.m. and moreover, when they are in office they do not attend to visitors properly.

Another point which Mr Sunil has left is regarding the criteria for appearing in exam. The deptt has kept a condition that a particular candidate would be considered in that province in which he deposits his entry form. So, by this rule, even a resident of Srinagar can appear for the test in Jammu province category and vice-versa. As a proof, one may look on last year's results where many permanant residents of Srinagar have qualified for the scholarship from Jammu Province quota. Thus, the department has been playing with the rights of the people of Jammu (students). If this is not laxity on the part of department, then what is this?

So, I request the CM to look into the matter, as this is a matter of grave concern. Afterall, if the students will not be encouraged for higher education with benefits and substantial scholarships (and not merely Rs 3600/- for 2 years), it would definitely lead to unemployment.

Sidharth Verma
Talab Tillo, Jammu.

Overhauling educational sector

Sir,

A few initiatives taken by the J&K Government to revive old glory of Government schools, has provocated me to decipher the ground realities and futility of the ideas executed by the Education Ministry.

After a very careful scanning of various variables responsible for the mess in these schools, one reaches to the conclusion that students in these schools come from labour class families. Their parents drive them off to these schools, not for getting education but to get relieved of them for 6 hours. They are not at all serious for their children's education. When the last bell goes at 4 p.m. the students rush to their homes to accompany animals in the grazing fields. Any Government employee never sends his ward to Government school unless the child is mentally retarted.

Education department proclaimed English to be the medium of instruction right from primary classes. To give it a practical shape, free books were distributed. It is a great irony that the books distributed were printed in Hindi and Urdu. This careless attitude of the Ministry indicates towards the wide gulf between a words and deeds.

The recent announcement by Education Minister to establish model schools in each district of J&K State would be wastage of the capital. "Opening of residential school" at least upto 8th standard would be a wonderful and workable idea, which has all the potential of reviving the old glory of Government schools.

The second target is the teacher. He is the pivot around which whole educational process revolves. We have to keep him comfortable and updated.

A recent nation wide survery revealed that more than 85 per cent of teachers consider their job inferior and low. This inferority complex has to be weeded out by extending them healing touch in the shape of better salaries, and better avenues so that teacher's job is no longer considered low in the society too.

At this juncture, J&K Government did the opposite by introducing Rehbar-e-Taleem scheme. All such teachers at the time of their recruitment have to submit an affidavit which prohibits them from going to the Hon'ble Court, if they are not regularised after the completion of five years term. Thus, a Rehbar-e-Taleem scheme teacher, with meagre salary of Rs. 1500/- is forced to languish for 5 years that too with hopelessness. In this kind of a situation, how come Government can think of reviving education sector, when the teachers are exploited.

Adding more fuel to the fire, many highly qualified teachers are losing their grip on their enthusiasm. Their BEd degrees, it seems, have lost relevance. So it is time that the education should be overhauled.

Ramesh Sharma
Pathi (Vijaypur)