Common Entrance Tests (CET 2015)

The common entrance tests (CET) measure the performance of students for admission to a degree. This degree is related to professional degree in technology, medical, law, business administration and also social sciences. The performance in these exams is more related to suitability of students for a particular course than just a mere test of scholastic aptitude. This is unlike those exams where the aptitude for scholastic is measured. Rather it is based on objective knowledge related to a particular stream or specialized body of knowledge. In foreign countries this is comparable to the GMAT and GRE exams but not comparable in terms of metal endurance required for the latter exams.

The pattern of these exams is framed in such a manner that it measures the objective knowledge of a student in all departments of the subject concerned.  In our country the ministry of HRD which is the apex body for making policies related to education and formation of committees has not done any review regarding the content criteria of these exams. Rather the same format of tests gets repeated year after year. Due to these repetitive formats many students who are not so suitable for a particular stream may also get selected as they have already mastered the format of these exams as per the questions set. This poses a problem related to quality of students getting selected in these courses and the validity of such exams to judge academic rigour.

This gets reflected in the overall pass percentage of the class or batch of students and also on the quality of projects done in these professional courses. Over periods of ten to twelve years the standards of CET exams have been deteriorating and students today are not much interested in appearing for CET’s unless it’s being organized by the CBSE or any other centrally administered educational testing services.

Taking for example the Karnataka CET which is held every year for admission to professional courses like Medicine, Dentistry, Agriculture, Law, Engineering and many other vocational courses in various state and private colleges in the state of Karnataka the data released shows that the number of applications received is high but the number of examinees appearing in the exam is not comparable to the number of applications received for these courses. This shows that people are not interested to appear for these exams.

Moreover the spurt of private medical colleges, engineering colleges, dental colleges, management institutions have put up a non pleasant picture like the course curriculum is not updated or revised since a long time. This makes the syllabus obsolete and also the quality of teaching goes down. In many such institutions the colleges want to recruit staff at least cost and without much attention to quality of teaching. Initial approval of AICTE does not benefit much as they are not matching the benchmark of standards that is set by the AICTE or NAAC star rating. Many colleges even misguide public on their star ratings given National Assessment and Accreditation Council.

 In state run institutions there is shortage of proper infrastructure like lack of tables and chairs, desks, libraries most of the times they do not have sufficient books, lack of ceiling fans or water coolers in classrooms.  It becomes a very difficult and stressful time for students studying in these circumstances. Karnataka CET gets low response for its admission advertisements nowadays and this may reduce even further if review of examination pattern along with a review of institutions is not done urgently.

The intuitions are part of the entire admission process and if they are not valid to stand by  then what’s the essence of these exams?

In contrast the Maharashtra CET is scoring high on all grounds due to high initiative of the state govt regarding the growth and development of student culture in the state and this has resulted in Maharashtra being the Number one choice of students for higher education in India. The institutions whether they state run or private trusts are offering superior quality in education and content and its dissemination. Thus it shows that the CET culture is lacking behind in Karnataka due to the apathy of state govt and its department.

As mentioned earlier the GRE AND GMAT exams which are conducted by ETS or educational testing services worldwide  is remarkably well administered through a series of computer based tests and its reviews of exam patterns keep changing year after year. This adds to the variability of these tests as tests to judge aptitude strength and mental endurance. The ETS has been very successful in creating a sort of benchmark for other common entrance exam patterns worldwide.

 It shows the kind of initiative these professional bodies take in conduct of these exams and the high degree of quality being maintained for the students getting the best grades.  That is why ivy league colleges welcome such students with open hands as they represent cream of the cake..

So after all what is real motive to examine someone?  is it just for the sake of conducting a test?  Which has  now become only a formality  or to test aptitude and mental endurance which is most important to judge suitability of a student for a particular knowledge based profession or career.

The answer lies with the public at large and the govt of the day…..

Teaching Methods

Teaching Methods

Teaching is one of the age old professions which have transgressed through times and has molded into its present form that we see today. Teaching involves use of vocal cords all the time,  it also means that one who teaches must have a fine and well coordinated vocal frequency. So what does teaching convey to people and how it benefits people?

Teaching is the spread of knowledge and transmission of this knowledge in the form of expression through medium of the subject which is being taught. The subject is the broad framework for containing this knowledge and also its correct dissemination. In today’s technological times teaching is generally done through the medium of audio visual media like using projectors in classrooms and using slides for discussion on a particular topic. Field based studies have also become very popular nowadays. Field based studies is mostly done in those subjects where scientific study is the need and lot of data collection is done based on active observation and recording through observation.

Group based study is being used in management schools and business schools as it forms an important part of education curriculum for students of management programmes. Teaching and Innovation in teaching methods is subject of research and as such several Government institutions like National Institute of Educational Planning and Administration, NCERT, SCERT, Regional Institutes of Education have been disseminating useful pedagogy related to teaching and teaching techniques. 

Teachers are doing a great job for the nation and that is the contribution to future of nation building. This has to be done with great care and attention and in the best possible manner so that it benefits large sections of society.

Teaching methods constitute the soul of research in education and development of educational media. In fact it so important that within the textbooks itself we see several boxes for self to do activities for the students and notes at the end of the chapter for the teacher to consider while teaching a particular topic. Several teacher training institutions have been developed for imparting training in effective teaching and they also get certification in this regards.

Most of these training happen in senior secondary classes and in colleges but still it is largely seen and widely held view that teaching among teachers is not effective and most students complaint regarding the same. Lack of good quality teacher in most institutions is due to paucity of funds to give salaries and mostly the inexperienced ones are hired. In many institutions students are at the mercy of the teacher who design exam papers in such manner that only the best brains pass and the rest fail. But school management fails to take cognizance of these serious issues and lets the situation prevail.

In such manner a perpetual atmosphere of fear is created among students regarding a particular subject. This is against the spirit of teaching and teaching techniques. This also hinders the development of students in that particular subject.

The right spirit of teaching is effective communication and teaching methods enhance this effective communication. It is in this spirit that institutions train teachers to multiply their knowledge in terms of more students benefiting per lecture. This may not be followed practically everywhere but wherever it is done that place is enriched in terms of more satisfied students and better pass rate of examinees.

Ultimately society stands to gain or loose as students are a considerable part of society and teachers are the ones who give considerable impact to this society by their teaching and methods they adapt in training young and energetic minds.

School Tiffin Boxes

Recess time is very important time in school time table but why? Did any body think about this question? Or did any one try to find out...

Yes! Some people might have tried to do so. 

But this would be out of sheer inquisitiveness regarding the palette and all the goodness of food that we get in our daily lives.

Another section of people who for reason other than the ones mentioned above are the mom’s of those kids who have just entered school and anxious parents of school going children who care a lot about the growth and well being of their future and light of their lives.

Society and its needs are connected with good quality food and sensing this most urgent need MNC’s are always on the look out for providing such quality food that gives healthy options to most school going children at recess time. Here we see companies like NESTLE and ITC Yippee noodles dishing out various options that soothes every tongue and palette. From young to the adult section it’s catering to the young population sensing a need and business opportunity.

It’s just a Tiffin Box yet important as it helps young minds to rejuvenate and talk at lunch time, refresh and fill themselves with more ideas for a brighter day ahead. Such is the importance of lunch box. It symbolizes get together at lunch time.

In govt schools we have the mid meals scheme which if done and implemented properly would serve huge benefit to the thousands of young generation of this country and at the same time serve the purpose of good schooling and moral values. 

Our constitution guarantees “Right to Life” but do we really care to know what is the depth of this statement? Most sections of our society cannot afford to go to good public school so for them lunch box or Tiffin is out of bounds. But the govt has provided them with the option of Mid Meal Meals scheme which is a great boost to these young minds. But in reality seldom implemented properly or tested for perfection. Instead reports were that cockroach was found in the food or it was cooked in unclean utensils or it was semi cooked and worse to see that on complaining about the food the students were beaten up badly or scared to the limit of tolerance.

It shows scant regard in the minds of those who are responsible for the success of such community initiatives. It shows lack of training and professionalism. In the recent past we saw how GATES FOUNDATION and CLINTONS were trying to help the mid day meal scheme brighten up with rich inputs like money and other infrastructure support. This was shown by Discovery Channel.

In private schools we see big cafeteria’s and lunch rooms were students can eat lunch or order for some food and share it with their friends. Here too the vendor who is providing with such facilities was found overcharging the menu and pockets. So some schools thought of outdoing with the vendor and instead operate a school canteen managed by school committee for canteen management and safety. 

Many a times it was felt by large sections of society and people that there can be a policy of guidelines by the concerned state govt that all schools and other primary educational institutions to make sure  that children carry Tiffin boxes instead of eating in canteens or outside markets. 

This is because home prepared food or Tiffin helps to serve the cause of nutritious supplements and is safest and healthiest for children of all ages. Now day’s products like Zip Pouch and other plastique Tiffin carriers can keep food warm and fresh for a much longer period of time. Nutritious food helps to keep the mind alert and supplies the body with antioxidants that are required for a good and rich blood circulation and healthy brain and eyes.

There can be guidelines on what constitutes Tiffin pack like cut or peeled fruits, vegetable sandwich, cut dried and salted sea fish called fish fillets etc. This can help parents prepare healthy Tiffin and serve fresh to their children.

The Tiffin box symbolizes youthfulness and cheer of growing up together and this happens when children get together at recess time or interval. 

Ideally to justify this we need to match it up with lots of fresh and exciting home cooked  ideas in terms of good food  beaming and punching with the tagline “Tiffin time is great time“.