water management in Jalna

 

Higher Education: Issues and challenges.

 Higher Education: Issues and challenges.

 Presented by AHMED NOOR, Teacher in Urdu High school , Jalna

 ABSTRACT 

Education unfolds innate qualities of man. It is the medium for the youth with the help of which they can quench their thirst for realizing their potentialities. Higher Education has greater specialization which is used in different fields. It plays a pivotal role for youths self reliant, prosperity, development and welfare. It makes contribution in society and the nation. India has the largest higher education system in quantities but as the same time, it is least quality. The higher education faces many problems and challenges. Low-quality, obsolete courses, rigid curriculum, incompatible to students and society. Higher education fails to solve large scale employment. Lacking employability is major challenge in our education system. Shortage of faculties, competent teachers, staff and infrastructures are hallmarks of colleges.. Mismanagement, corruption, political interferences have crept in colleges and Universities. Examination and assessment system are defective. Research and innovation are nowhere in higher education institutes. There is needs greater transparency and accountability, the role of colleges, universities and teachers and UGC and government should be defined and made their accountability. Infrastructure, funds and competent faculty are essential components for better education. 

Introduction-

 A decent education is a passport to a good, comfortable, and secure life. It provides hope and opens avenues for a secure future for intelligent, hardworking, and productive men and women of our society. It enables develop individual faculties and makes youngsters to become contributing members of society through knowledge, skills, and character development. It is a significant instrument to radically transform society. Higher Education is considered the apex stage of formal education. It includes greater specialization necessitated by rapid socio-economic and industrial development. Down to the corridor of time, higher education has come to mean production and dissemination of knowledge. Higher education system connotes academic institutional bodies that include university, colleges, and vocational schools. These bodies prepare professionals for all sectors of the economy. In a vibrant system, institutions of higher learning are enablers of research, innovation, and entrepreneurship, addressing problems facing society, nations, and preparing individuals for lives and careers. Thus it plays a very important role in shaping our future. The county has one of the largest university systems in the world. The university system has expanded in a big way after Independence, when there were only 20 universities. A great quantitative expansion in the field of higher education has taken place in the country during the last four decades. It has reached 800 Universities and 40,000 colleges. Now a question arises can our universities and colleges fulfill the aim of education and our objectives. If not what issues and challenges are before the high education system. 

Challenges before Higher Education.

 Quality of Education- 

The quality of education depends to a great extent on three factors the quality of teaching, the infrastructural facilities available in the college and the manner in which examinations are conducted. If the quality of teaching is good, the academic standards of the students is bound to be high. Ineffective teaching and high standards of students do not go together. As the Kothari Commission rightly observed, of all the factors which influence the quality of education, the quality, competence, and character of the teachers are the most significant. Unfortunately none of the universities and institutions from India are in the list of top hundred higher education. As per the data provided by the NAAC, as June 2010, not even 25 percent of the total higher education institutions in the country were accredited. And among those accredited, only 30 percent of the universities and 45 percent of the colleges were found to be of quality to be ranked at A level.

 Defective Curriculum:

 The curriculum and teaching at the university level are rigidly compartmentalised and unrelated to the human and social concern of the students. Existing curriculum suffers from many deficiencies and defects. It is subject-centered rather than student centre. It is purely academic and theoretical and fails to meet the life, needs, and aspirations of the individual. In order to make the courses relevant and significant to the students as all as to the nation as a whole, it should be restructured in the line recommended by Kothari Commission. To allow greater freedom to the students in choosing different elective subjects according to their interest and ability the courses should be diversified, especially to cover newly emergent and inter-disciplinary areas. Side by side with the improvement of courses at the under-graduate and post-graduate stage, modern and dynamic methods of learning should be adopted with vigour and determination.

 Lack of Employability- High education is least co-relate employability and professionalism. The major professional courses account for only 18 per cent of the student population and so the question is how to get the remaining 82 percent to obtain minimum levels of competence and employability. Unfortunately, the main objective of those who seek higher education in our country is to secure government service. It is obvious that the Government cannot give jobs to all. The result is that our educational system, instead of enabling people to become useful members of society, makes them superfluous and turns what should be an asset into a liability. If many of these educated persons had received no education, they could at least have earned their livelihood by some kind of manual labour. Referring a report, former chairman of Atomic Energy, Dr.Anil Kakodkar at a Higher education conference held in 2018 at Jalna, said that the aim of higher education should use local resources and provide students an easy access to knowledge and content and self-reliant. It means higher education should be fruitful for student as well the society. Economists Santosh Mehrotra and Jajati K Parida revealed depressing trends. They stated increase in joblessness among educated youth; it almost doubled from 6.1 percent in 2011-12 to 17.8 percent in 2017-18 across all categories. Employment in the country decreased to 465 million in 2017-18 from 474 million in 2011-12,while the unemployment rate increase at all-time high 8.8 percent in2017-18 from 3 percent in 2011-12, mostly among educated youth. There is vast gap between demand and supply. Our first education minister Maulana Abul Kalam Azad said any maladjustment between demand and supply at this stage would create problems which the State must at all cost seek to avoid. In the field of economics , there is always a close correction between demand and supply. Any deviation from such correlation leads to social crises. Absence of Accountability There is lack of accountability among students, teachers, colleges and the University as a whole. Students are expected to be accountable for their studies, teachers for their teaching and research and University as a whole, for the quality of education. At present, there is no mechanism for ensuring the accountability and performance of professors in universities and colleges. This is unlike foreign universities where the performance of college faculty is evaluated by their peers and students. Shortage of resources. The bulk of the enrolment in higher education is handled by state universities and their affiliated colleges. However, these state universities receive very small amounts of grants in comparison. Nearly 65 percent of the University Grants Commission (UGC) budget is utilised by the central universities and their colleges while state universities and their affiliated colleges get only the remaining 35 per cent. Apart from the highly recognized higher educational institutes in India most colleges and universities lack in the basic and high-end research facilities. Many institutes are running without proper infrastructure and basic facilities like libraries, hostels, transport, and sports facility. The condition of non-grant colleges is horrible. The absence of basic infrastructure and qualified lecturers have crippled higher education. 

Assessment/ Examination Assessment is one of the most important functions in higher education. It is usually confined to the examinations conducted at regular intervals. Universities seem to be pre-occupied with examinations most of the time, from preparations to conduct them to announce the result. The real quality of education acquired by students can not be determined by subjecting them to a test for a few hours at the end of each year of the three or two years or four years course. There should be continuous assessment of the student throughout the period of his study. 

Political interference. Most of the educational colleges and universities are governed by political leaders. They are using educational institutions for their selfish means. Students are being exploited for political purpose as result functioning in the colleges and universities are crippled and excellence is at stake. 

Research and Innovation

  Research is not only critical to the economic and social development of society; it is also critical to the mission of our University. For some research the benefit may not be so obvious. As Albert Einstein once remarked: "If we knew what it was we were doing, it would not be called research, would it?" The universities became increasingly distanced from societal needs and have been reproducing graduates without necessary skills required in the workplace, including academics with Ph.Ds. without necessary research skills. It is this research which is the foundation for knowledge that makes possible so much of the innovation and application that provides wider benefit. However, Do our researchers contribute for society and their research beneficial. In the words of vice-chancellor Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar Marathwada University Dr Pramod Yeole said research paper becomes a mere paper, our Ph.D. holders takes a photo holding Ph.D. degree and frames it and puts on wall and nothing. Suggestions -In order to achieve this, we need good governance in the higher education system which would encourage optimisation of resources and infrastructure. - Steps should be taken to have world-class multidisciplinary institutions of research. The University needs not merely be an examining body, as Anil Kakodkar suggested that University should give private agency of holding examinations and focus quality education. Vocationalisation in education is still a distant dream. The programmes and courses that develop skills of self-employment and self-reliance should be encouraged. - Identify skill gaps in different sectors and offering courses for enhancing employability in them has been recommended. -Knowledge should not be confined to the four walls of the institution. It should percolate outside, reach out to the needy and the unreached, for this purpose, extensions centres of Universities should be opened. -The Government and the UGC also need not be a mere funding agency releasing funds or grants towards the salary of the teachers without bothering to find out the kind of work that is done by the teachers. -The University and the Government together should periodically send to the colleges, teams of experts who will sit in the classes and see for themselves the kind of teaching that is imparted and the report about it to the University and the Government. -Urgent steps should be taken to develop educational research and relate it effectively to the formulation of educational policies and improvement of education. In order to promote innovation, creativity and entrepreneurship, incubation centres should be established. -International collaborations and networks should be promoted for developing human resources required to sustain new knowledge with special focus on inter-disciplinary research and studies. -Mobilize funds in state universities should be explored through other means such as endowments, contributions from industry and alumni. -Introduce Biometric attendance of lecturers and students. The new draft national education policy lays out an ambitious agenda for transformation higher education, it should be implemented in letter and spirt. Conclusion. Sixty years ago, first education minister Abul Kalam Azad said the happiness and prosperity of millions demand that this revolutionary reconstruction of society should be carried out not by violent or disruptive methods but through a process of legislation and planned change. Obviously, the universities must play an important role in initiating such changes and serve as agencies for the creation of new ideas and the training up of workers in their cause. If this is not be done, it would be happened as suggested by Azad, then British educationist had right said in the British parliament in 1833 while advocating the introduction of English education in India that successful implementation of our education will enable the British to rule over India without physical presence. How right he was! If you want to subordinate people, pervert their education. Let us rise and the change education system. ----------

References

Education in India by Padma Ramachandran and Vasantha Ramkumar. Speeches of Maulana Azad- Publication Division. Lokmat Times Times of India The Hindu speaks on education. -Speech Vice chancellor of Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar University given Diamond Jubilee Celebration of JES College,Jalna Speech of former chairman of Atomic Energy, Dr.Anil Kakodkar on Higher Education held at Agrasen Bhavan,Jalna. Researcher is a teacher and works as a correspondent Lokmat Times and a stringer in Press Trust of India (PTI) AHMED NOOR -cell phone 9422725907

Islam-Being generous

Islam-Being generous  

                                                       By-AHMED NOOR
Generosity is a common virtue of all religions as it is human trait. Human development can not take place without sharing, caring and giving. It is a virtue, a habit that shapes and governs a way of life.
Generosity is considered is the best quality among good Muslims. Prophet Muhammad saying: “The believer is simple and generous, but the wicked person is deceitful and ignoble.” Islam encourages this concept of generosity so much so that it is embedded in one of the five pillars of Islam as Zakat. In Arabic, the term zakat literally means purification of the heart however; it is also the payment, from surplus money, of an obligatory charity designed by God to provide for all the needy and the poor. The Quranic word Zakah not only includes charity, alms, tithe, kindness, and spiritual as well as moral motives. There is also another form of generosity in Islam called sadaqah (optional charity).
Muhammad Yonus, banker to the Poor of Bangladesh, says generosity means that you give only when you have lot or after fulfilling all your needs, but in fact you can still give when you yourself is struggling. A generous man will share what he has with others, thinking about other people as he thinks of himself. He benefits by helping others and solving their problems. He makes people happy and prevents them from doing wrong, which is often a direct result of poverty. The true measure of persons is not what they own or have consumed, but rather what they have given to others- in time, treasure and talent.
Generosity is the opposite of stinginess, as stinginess is a disease of the heart. A stingy is never happy and he can not relax, he never enjoy because enjoyment is in sharing and caring. Giving is a beautiful experience. The more we give the more we receive. It can bring you more meaning , fulfillment , and happiness. The Holy Quran says ‘ And whatever you spend in good, it will be repaid to you in full, and you shall not be wronged.”

Progressive Thoughts in Maharashtra and need of social enlightenment of OBCs--

Progressive Thoughts in Maharashtra and need of social enlightenment of OBCs------------------------------------------------------ Presented by AHMED NOOR, ASSISTANT TEACHER, Urdu High School, Jalna (MS)

cell number 9422725907

ABSTRACT

 Progressive thought has shaped Maharashtra. It brought a social and religious awakening. Saints and reformers played a crucial role in shaping society. Saints of the Bhakti Movement in the medieval period played an important role in progressive thought. The reformers during the 19th and 20th centuries were against social and blind beliefs and fought against conservative thoughts. Industrialization, urbanization and English education have helped in social enlightenment. Child marriage, secondary status of women, inhuman conditions of widows and denial of girls’ education were prevailing in the Maharashtrian society. The caste system is evil in society causing inequality and division of human beings. Reformers and social leaders fought against social evils that were rotted in Maharashtrian society. The Constitution which is based on social justice and equality has brought social change. The Mandal Commission brought caste consciousness. The Commission identified OBCs and declared as socially, educationally and economically backward and granted reservation in education and in jobs in the government-controlled office. The Mandal Commission made social and political consciousness amongst OBCs. In spite of having progressive thought and liberal Constitution, OBCs are still embroiled in social problems and evils. OBCs are facing problems like illiteracy, low education, and disintegration in OBCs which hampered in progress. Weak OBC leadership, reluctant to accept the leadership of OBC are major hurdles in the OBC movement. Moreover, social evils and outdated beliefs and superstations have crept in OBCs. There is a need for Social enlightenment to eradicate these problems. Caste organizations should come to one platform and become a strong force to address their issues. Improving Education and economic condition would lead to economic and social awakening in the OBCs. 

Introduction-

Thought shapes man and mold society. It is a dynamic force. It creates and moves. Progressive and rational thoughts show light to society. It brings in to light from the darkness. A society cannot be developed unless it has rational and progressive thoughts. Thoughts- scientific, rational and human values enlighten the society. These help in the development of social awakening and bring a change in society.

 Clashes of progressive and Conservative thoughts.

 Progressive thought is always opposed by conservative thought and elite castes in public and government levels. They knew that these thoughts would damage their existence that had been exploiting socially backward people and made salves. It was time, the Indian society in general and Maharashtrian society, in particular, was caught in a vicious web created by superstitions and social obscurantism. Several evil practices had crept into society. Superstition was rampant. It held over the minds of people as well as those in power. Conservative ideology led to social imbalance and disharmony in society. This caused division and discrimination were among men. The most distressing was the position of downtrodden society and women. The birth of a girl was unwelcome, her marriage was a burden and her widowhood was inauspicious. Prohibiting inter-caste dining, inter-caste marriages, child marriage, and educational backwardness were common phenomena. The caste- system has been the most obnoxious evil. It hampered social mobility, fostered social divisions and sapped individual initiatives. Above all was the humiliation of untouchability which destroyed against human dignity. There was a languishing spirit everywhere in society. Caste is an important social institution of Indian society. The ancient theological scriptures divided mankind into four sections which cause social division and the caste system. People accepted blindly, without examination of the scripture. Dogmas and doctrines were imposed upon people by priests. The evil of the caste system has penetrated deep into the hearts of society because of the age-old cultural misconception. In the chaos of social evils, progressive and rational thoughts have emerged and confronted with conservative thoughts. In the medieval period, progressive thought was shaped by the Bhakti movement. Saints of Bhakti movements like Sants Danyeshwar, Eknath, Tukaram, and Sufi saints gave liberal religious ideology based on equality and casteless society. They emphasized the virtues of love and devotion, brotherhood and equality. This helped to bring different castes and religions nearer. According to them, there was no distinction and consideration of high and low on the basis of birth. Their doors were open to all classes. They began to mix together on the basis of equality. They believed in the equality of man and man. Their movement tried to loosen the bond of caste. They woke people up from "dogmatic slumber". The effect of the Bhakti movement is described by Justice Ranade in these words: “Like the Protestant Reformation in Europe in the 16th century, there was a religious, social and literary revival and reformation in India, but notably in the Deccan in the 15th and 16th centuries.”The advent of English education, railway, industrialization and urbanization led social consciousness. Science was making important breakthroughs in every field; technology was transforming agriculture, industry and transportation. Development of Science and technology improved lives of people as well as of thought of people. That tend to provide for a class consciousness that was economic class of rich and poor, employers and employees, management and the labourer. The rise social and religious reformers of 19th and 20 th century shaped a new thought and great impact on the Maharastrian society. Social reformer and journalist Acharya Balshatri Jambhekar (1810-1846) condemned the evil customs of Sati, female infanticide. Gopal Hari Deshmukh(1823-1892) attacked orthodox social customs. Pioneer of progressive thought, Jotirao Phule revolted against the unjust caste system and upheld the cause of untouchables and education of women of lower castes. He preached for the abolition of false beliefs, meaningless rituals and baseless customs. He inspired the lower castes to form their association to create a spirit of cooperation and work for their emancipation from the age old taboos pertaining to shudras in social status, education and religion. Jothiba founded the Satyashodak mandal to bring together all the backward classes on a common platform. He preached the principle of adequate representation for members of all castes in public services. Ramakrishna Gopal Bhandarkar(1837–1925) and Justice Ranade(1842–1901) were the pioneers of Prathana Samaj that helped in social awakening and brought religious reform. Chatrapati Shahu Maharaj (1874–1922) also plunged into the movement and defied the caste system, championed the cause of the untouchables and promoted education in his state. Maharashtra will always remain proud of Dr. Bhimrao Ambedkar (1891–1956), the chief architect of the Indian Constitution and the creator of a social and political awareness among the Scheduled Castes of India. Thus, the works of the saint-poets, the social reformers and the social constructive workers have gave shaped progressive and rational thoughts. Their teachings have made great help in enlightening and social awaking in the society. Progressive thought was dare to understand of logic, questioned to traditionalists. It gave power freedom speech and has impact on human made system like government, laws, schools and markets. In spite of the opposition from the orthodox sections of the society, progressive thought contributed towards liberating people from the exploitation of priests. Reformers examined religious texts and customs on rational basis. In the words of philosopher James. Reformers read and absorb the principles of liberalism and propagate. This led to the social awakening. Thus progressive thoughts have made very significant contribution. Other Backward Classes (OBCs) The ‘backward class’ does not constitute one single whole but a multitude of social groups with varying positions and socio-economic standing in the social hierarchy of Indian society. The OBCs are entitled to special provisions in education and employment. Indian Constitution has provided us with a way of life that is in consonance with the ideals of democracy. The First Backward Classes Commission at the National level was set up by a Presidential Order under Article 340 of the Constitution of India on January 29, 1953, under the Chairmanship of Kaka Saheb Kalelkar. This commission submitted its report on March 30, 1955, and prepared a list of 2,399 castes and communities from the entire country and 837 of these were considered ‘most backward’ requiring special attention. The second All India Backward Classes Commission, Bindhyeshwari Prasad Mandal popularly known as Mandal Commission was appointed by the Government of India in 1978 under Article 340 of the Constitution to investigate the conditions of socially and educationally backward classes to determine the criteria for defining the socially and educationally backward classes. This commission submitted its report in 1980 and identified 3,943 castes covering 52 percent of the total population as OBCs in educational institutions and government services. The Commission report was in cold storage later then prime minister, V.P Singh implemented the report and gave justice to the OBCs. Actually, the Mandal Commission can be considered the intellectual inspiration in transforming caste-based identity into an asset that may be used as a basis for securing political and economic gains. The Mandal Commission has heightened the consciousness of the OBC. During the last decade, OBC leaders have tried to bring all OBCs one platform for right and bring social awareness. Leaders late Gopinath Munde, Chhagan Bhujbal, Shabbir Ansari and contemporary leaders are trying to come one platform and raising political and social awareness. Problems of OBCs Each OBC caste has powerful and continue to claim recognition, but disunity in OBCs and weak OBC leadership, their problems are not forcefully put before the government level. Instead of coming under the banner of OBCs, they are divided into majoritism and minoritism, or religious basis which has weaken the OBC movement. A weak movement led to a weak voice. Consciousness unity in OBCs makes political and social influence to get their rights. OBC castes of other religions like Muslims, Christian and Sikh communities have been segregated due to their different culture and religion. The supremacy of one own caste and inferior to others within OBC are a reason of disunity in the OBCs. The OBCs, follow and accept the leadership of dominated caste instead of OBC leadership, resulting in their problems are undermined. Outdated customs, superstition and irritation beliefs are being still prevailed in most of castes which are the main obstacles in development. Stick to traditional professions and reluctant to choose other careers, lack of higher and technical education led to economic backward in amongst OBCs. Absence of caste-census, an exact figure of the OBC population has not come out. The Movement of reservations of dominated caste has put a hold on the OBC movement. A recent curtail of political reservation of OBC in self-governments has also deprived political opportunity..

 Need Social Enlightenment in OBCs 

Though we have adopted a liberal democratic polity, progressive thought, OBCs are lagging backward socially, economically To remove backward, social enlightenment is indispensable. Our Constitution gives equal rights. Religion, language, region, caste or community is no longer the basis of special powers and privileges. There is a need to make aware the Constitutional rights. The OBCs have to attempt to adjust themselves to the changed conditions of life and play a new role. They have to take benefits of industrialization and urbanization, which helps in enlightening. Education should be given utmost priority as education makes people liberal, broad-minded, rationale and democratic. Education that too higher education, pertaining to the fields of science and technology, provides the basis of modernization. The liberal education paves of rational thoughts. They should not stick and embroiled outdated customs and irrational religious beliefs. However gaining progressive thought, one can not run away from religion as saying ‘Man can not live by bread alone. In India, religious leaders are superior to masses and frequently the religion is more powerful than a democratic government. At the same time, religion should not be based on superstition and outdated customs. Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar wanted to abolish evils prevailing in society. He thought that social reforms were necessary than political reforms. According to him, religion is the foundation of any society. To him, religious and social reform is essential to economic reform. Religion is the source of power that power can be used to reformation. Social Enlightenment is needed for replacing darkness, discarding obsolete and irrational beliefs. It breaks barriers of caste, color, province, and religion would be broken. Dr. Ambedkar's ideal or just society or casteless society must be based on reason and not on atrocious traditions of the caste system. To him, for the annihilation of caste, it is essential to religious reform. Caste organizations of OBC will have to strengthen for focusing discarding evils. They have to safeguard their interests as well as other castes. These organizations should emphasize running educational institutions, hostels, libraries and providing scholarships. Federation of OBCs should be formed for working social awakening and fighting for their rights. Caste-census should be demanded as the census ensures that each community gets the right number of representatives in development schemes and government. Conclusion.

 Maharashtra is known for its progressive thought. Bhakti movement and social reformers have made a great impact on society for their thoughts. Social evils and outdated religious beliefs, caste-system which were rampant in the society, were rejected by reformers. OBCs which are reportedly more than 50 percent of the population, are needed social enlightenment for their progress socially, politically and economically. The State has the liberal Constitution, progressive thought social evils, caste-system, secondary status of women, widows, exist. Social awakening and rational thoughts are indispensable to eradicate these evils. 

References 

1)Makers of Modern of India by Ramchandra Guha 2)Status of Dalits in Inida by Geetanjali 3)The problems of Dalits and OBCs by Premlata Sharma 4)N. Lekshmi Kutty “Vivekanada : A study in national, social and spiritual reconstruction of India 5) Booklet on OBC Jatine Kaya karu aani kya karu naye by Mahadev Jankar