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| Is “Autonomy” also necessary for fulfilling Commitments regarding Education as laid in J&K Constitution | | A Look through the mist | | Daya Sagar | 6/24/2011 7:11:30 PM |
| No doubt Omar Abdullah Government deserves all appreciations for its proposals for creating professional and technical education infrastructure in the public sector likes its approvals for opening 22 more Government degree Colleges in different districts of J&K State as well as 17 more Polytechnic Institutes. But the effectiveness of such institutional infrastructure worth the entry of the common man socially, administratively and financially placed remotely is what has to be yet to be ensured since unless the Government Schools perform worth earning the confidence of common man , the wards of the less privileged people would not get entry into the higher education schools / colleges / professional institutions of their choice without unduly parting up with extra sums of money. For doing so the end users too need to provide regular and timely feed back to the government.
As regards education it is laid in the Jammu Kashmir State Constitution in PART IV DIRECTIVE PRINCIPLES OF STATE POLICY Section 20 Subsection ( a) the State shall endeavour: to secure to every permanent resident the right to free education upto the University standard:: But the manner in which the schemes and projects are being drawn in the fields of education it appears that the people who “ wrote” the Constitution of J&K belonged to some other “ world’. One thing can be surely said that “ they” must be carrying some impressions of the care that Sheikh Abdullah held for the social upliftment of the needy because when the J&K Constitution was drawn and given effect Sheikh Abdullah had been sent to prison ( allegedly on the charges of holding “anti national stance” / near “sedition” ). Other thing that could be said is that the leaders / officers of times of 1950s did understand and realize the difficulties and needs of the common man , economically also “they” were neither that affluent / “amir” nor could they imagine that in the coming times “so soon” ( “over night” / in just one generation ) the LEADERS and government OFFICER in the democratic India would grow so rich that the common man would go out of site for them. These days Leaders are often seen praising the PRIVATE schools and Colleges describing them as the must asset where as still the genuine economic status of the people of J&K /India ( including even comparatively the so highly paid government employees of 2011) is such that 80% of the population shall have to normally depend on Government Schools / Colleges for quality saleable educations / trainings. Yes , if atall the leaders find some interest in the Government schools , it for their being a large Vote Bank. This Government spends hundreds of Crore of rupees on government institutions but even the economically weaker people too do not send their children to government schools because of the government schools in general do not carry even fair reputation on performance ( ofcourse even those employed in School Education departments). What to talk of free education as envisaged in J&K Constitution upto PG level ,this day the common man is not able to get even the primary level education for children without arranging / spending extra money.
In 2010 I happen to listen a Director of School Education ( J&K ) in a TV interview. When the anchor asked her that what is the reason that what to talk of senior officers not even low level government employees do not prefer to send their children to government schools (even the teachers, directors, secretary education departments ), she so “simply” / casually took the quarry and replied that the government schools are for the poor people and in case some one wants to give better education to her / his children government can not stop her / him ( most of the government school teachers are comparatively better paid, better qualified and have better job satisfaction / social security than the private school teachers). How casually the Director school education said that the government schools are for the poor people and there the quality of teaching has to be low. May be Director education was not aware of the fact that in the earlier times most of the government employees sent their children to government schools and in her view the Government Employees of earlier days were POOR . Let such Directors know that in those days the government employees were not on roads every next day demanding ‘dearness allowance’ where as in 2011 government employees are often found crying for D. A ( is he / she rich ?) .It is so painful that people of such like convictions / understanding easily remain in government, rather they are moved from one important post to another.
The culture of payment seats too has been introduced in universities, rather it is being encouraged. India Government pays Rs.100 se Rs. 125 to a daily wager and about 350 million Indian people would practically fall below a rational poverty line. For even for formal education a remote villager too these days prefers a private school since the government schools for lost the common man faith. People who are ruling J&K in the name of Sheikh Abdullah appear having set aside Sheikh’s ideals. It appears that Naya Kashmir and the promises as laid in J&K Constitution are forgotten truths that even when to carry such commitments neither any special assistance is needed from DELHI Government nor is the Greater Autonomy must for it. It is being vociferously said that J&K “s autonomy has been eroded by Delhi. But let National Conference atleast perform those jobs in which rested the commitments of Sheikh Abdullah as well as the pains that Sheikh carried for the people of J&K. The services that the Government has to extend to common man free of cost or at nominal costs are being so often obtained by arranging extra money , some people may even get forced ( unwillingly) to earn / arrange extra money through unfair means
Let us have a look at the professional education. Government often advises the youth to go for self employment / competitive recruitments. Well knowing that a large majority of people of J&K can afford higher education/ professional education only through Government / Public institutions ( that surely have superior / higher qualified academic faculty ) the seats in the professional colleges are not increased that easily where as to private colleges more/ higher number of seats is allowed without much difficulty ( Engg Colleges, Polytechnics, Medical Colleges, dental Colleges both Graduate and PG levels..J&K BOPEE prospectus for 2011 could be pursued for purpose ). Even MCI, DCI, AICTE could be questioned in this regard. In case seats are to be increased for Government Medical / Dental College MCI / DCI appears acting extra sincere. It could be alleged that in a way private colleges are supported at the cost of common people of J&K. Drafts Proposals were made to increase the seats in Jammu and Srinagar Government Medical colleges from 100 to 150 each, but nearly two years have also passed and the increase in number of seats is no where visible for 2011 -12 MBBS batches.
Is “Autonomy” also necessary for fulfilling the Commitments regarding Education as laid in J&K Constitution. I think it is not required. So why not Omar the NC lead government keep a proper vigil and meet such like commitments.
(*Daya Sagar is a social activist and leading coloumnist on J&K Affairs [email protected] 9419796096)
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