What’s there in educational qualification?
Mr Shakespeare famously failed to understand ‘What’s there in a name?’ The renowned playwright perhaps wanted to say that lot in life depends not upon what names people take but upon what they do with their lives. I don’t know his opinion on education though.But prima facie, some people seem to be concerned over the dismal education levels of some of the members of the new council of ministers of Maharashtra. Or at least I got this feeling when I overheard a conversation among a group of men in a local train while I was commuting to my workplace.
One of the gentlemen was dismayed to know that the new revenue minister of the state was just able to clear SSC exam. His co-traveller vociferously claimed that the minister actually had not cleared even the bare minimum level of high school education. Some of the passengers didn’t like that their new finance minister did not pursue graduation studies. A few others expressed surprise over the fact that a commerce graduate would now handle the energy department. An engineer could have been a better candidate they felt.
The discussion went on as several onlookers joined in voicing a concern over lack of proper education of our political leaders.
I find it amusing every time when I hear people in this country of mine talk highly about formal education. Somehow, we tend to believe that our education system invariably produces the best-in-class human beings that would never do anything bad.
Sadly, the only use people tend to put education for -- knowingly or unknowingly -- is earning handsome money. In a country of a billion people, it’s no wonder if the level of formal education is a major criterion, and in most cases the only criterion, to get big-ticket jobs.
As a community, we are yet to use education to make our thinking process better than what it would have been without education. How otherwise are we supposed to justify or even explain the proliferation of the dowry system in marriages between highly educated couples?
I remember an M-Tech professional who worked in the US, driving out of his marriage pandal in a brand new car gifted by his in-laws. I also remember the news reports on how an engineering professor harassed and burnt his wife because his in-laws did not give ‘enough’ dowry.
If you think these are one off examples, then try to remember how many times you have seen educated people littering in public places? I have seen families driving in a car while dropping the leftovers on the street.
Beyond providing better paying jobs, does education really matter in this country? And, I have no clue how education would prevent corruption, black marketing and other such evils (if they are evils!) in our society? Had that been possible, our government departments would have been clean places since you get a job there only if you are a graduate!
Coming back to the concerns of people over low education of our ministers, I don’t feel it really matters. For last 62 years, all educated and super educated humans have led the country. But our politicians still can win elections with an agenda of eradicating poverty and providing work for all…
posted by Ranjit @ 11/09/2009 03:33:00 pm
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