Mysuru: “The allocation of money by the government towards education and science is very meagre-for education it is just 3.5 percent of our total GDP while for science it is even lesser at just 8 percent,” said Bharat Ratna Prof. C N R Rao.
Speaking during the 56th Foundation Day Celebration of the Regional Institute of Education, Mysuru at its premise, while delivering the “Sardar Panikkar Memorial Lecture”, he said, “Unless and until we allocate more money towards science and education, it is difficult to expect more quality. Though every prime minister soon after assuming charge, promises to increase the allocation for education and science, they failed to keep it. I had requested the then prime minister Narasimha Rao to allocate at least 6 percent of GDP for education and 2 percent of GDP for science. Though they initially agree, when comes to implementation they fail and give various reasons due to which the education system in our country is terrible. Our children are becoming victims of this terrible system. We should first relieve the children of the burden of education. Education is something we should enjoy.
When Cambridge and Oxford can provide a fantastic facility for their students to do experiments and many things, where are those schools here? The government does everything except the most important one. Two most important things for a human being are good health and good education both of which are ignored by our government. For years we have been trying to get more money from the government but it is yet to become a reality. Nobody understands the importance of education. During the previous government, to give more importance to the much-needed respect for teachers. We even recommended the government to observe the next decade or dedicate a decade for ‘Teachers and Teaching’ but it is also yet to become a reality. In our country teachers are not much respected as in Finland. If education and science are given more importance, the country will also proper. Because of good ambience in Oxford and Cambridge, they managed to produce more noble laureates.” He also mentioned that one could become a scientist anytime.
’90 percent of high school teachers including Plus I and II don’t know enough of the subject’
C N R Rao during his nearly 30 minutes address said, “I always worried about what is it that we are going to teach. But one thing what I found is more than 90 percent of our high school, Plus I and II teachers don’t know enough of the subject and their content knowledge is very poor. Good teachers are one who will not teach just what’s in the book. It is extremely important to tell students stories. What you teach should not be in the book alone.” He also briefed about how he made his teaching interesting and an enjoyment.”
C N R Rao who has 79 doctorates, along with the former chairman of Kannada Development Authority Siddalingaiah, answered few queries by the students.
‘Indian education illogical’
Siddalingaiah, who also spoke on the occasion, said, “Education has become an industry and it has become difficult for the poor and middle class to afford a quality education. Until and unless common education is drafted in the country we can’t see a bright future. Teachers play an important role in grooming children but it is unfortunate that we are not teaching our children what we need the most. In London rain is a regular thing and hence children were taught ‘Rain Rain Go Away’ but kids in our country who belong to drought-prone areas like Gulbarga, Bijapur, Bidar and Bellary. Ironically, the children here are also singing ‘Rain Rain Go Away’ while on the other side their parents are praying to gods for more rain.”
P Sreekanth, Principal of RIE, Mysuru was also present.
