Dr G Viswanathan talks about improving education. SANGEETA YADAV interviews
VIT has been awarded four stars by QS ratings…
All this would not have happened without the teachers’ commitment and talented students. This rating will help us go for other world rankings. The Prime Minister has often mentioned that none of our universities is in the top 200. I want VIT to be one of the first universities to reach among the top 200 best universities globally.
How is the education model changing the scene in VelloreIJ
We’ve made a model out of Vellore district where the university takes the lead and creates public trust. We are trying to give every district access to higher education. Only 23% Indians attempt the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) which is much below the world average of 33 per cent. Through my university, I want to create an education and development model for Vellore district which can be replicated in all other districts nationwide so that every person can go for higher education and contribute in building India.
What are the issues urgently needing to be addressedIJ
The main problem is availability of higher education. In some areas, there are no engineering colleges. We have population in crores and only 20 engineering colleges in some States. There are some States which have no colleges at all. All over India, there is a shortage of medical seats. We have 15 lakh engineering seats and only 52,000 medical seats. The Centre and States should together take steps to eradicate education poverty and make education accessible to all.
Second, there are universities and colleges that have seats but are unaffordable for the middle and lower middle classes. This should be resolved through a national policy of scholarship or scholarship loans.
Third, with the kind of affiliating system we have, our quality can never improve. We can’t reach the advance level because under the affiliating system, the colleges have no autonomy. They are all affiliated to Government universities which decide the curricula. If you want to compete, you should have autonomy and funding and that will give a push to development. Whichever is the best university, will get recognised and rewarded. This will boost competition and improve the quality of education.
How is the new education policy shaping upIJ
After the Subramanian Committee, the Government is going to constitute another committee next year for academicians to give a final touch to the new education policy. I hope all the recommendations of various committees and associations, like the Education Promotion Society for India (EPSI), will be taken into consideration and a sound policy evolved.
How will the education sector become better after demonetisationIJ
In the education sector, we have a big problem of capitation fee, corruption and black money. I want the education sector to lead with transparency and eradicate these issues. All this is possible only if the Government steps in and spends on education. After demonetisation, if everything has been brought into account, there will be an increase in tax paid by the people. This will get the Government more money which it should spend on health, education and social sectors which have so far been neglected. At least 80 countries spend above five to seven per cent on education. last year, we spent 3.7 per cent. The amount needs to go up substantially. Only then, the middle class will benefit.
What should be the ideal student-teacher ratioIJ
Around 10:1 or 12:1. This too, depends on funding and tuition fee.
Photo: Ranjan Dimri/The Pioneer