Dangers of internal evaluation

I WISH to refer to one of the arguments advanced in the article “In favour of internal evaluation” (June 22) by Dr H.K. Manmohan Singh that the internal evaluation system will check unfair means practices to a considerable extent as the teacher himself is the evaluator.

I strongly disagree with the idea for the simple reason that the writer has grossly ignored the dangers inherent in internal evaluation, and his solution will breed more ills than it will cure.

When a teacher himself is the evacuator, there is great likelihood of his showing favouritism. Very easily high scores may be awarded to one’s favourite students, sycophants and also the wards of one’s colleagues and friends.

And the likelihood of awarding less marks to one’s opponents’ children, and detractors can’t be ruled out. When a teacher knows his students personally, will this keep him immune from the “pressures” to evaluate unfairly?

Contrary to the writer’s contention, I am inclined to believe that just because the teacher knows his wards personally, his evaluation may become highly subjective. There will be little hope of an objective and fair evaluation.

Therefore, before bidding adieu to external evaluation, one should keep one’s eyes open to the dangers that the internal evaluation system will bring with it.

There is need to work out a system where we can have a judicious mix of both internal and external evaluation — for example a scheme of internal assessment, supplementing the external evaluation system.

RENU KAPILA
Hoshiarpur

Railway Police ingenuity

Consumerism’s latest victim is the Railway Police. Corruption has been rampant in the police due to their “compulsions” or “greed”, but a new technique has been adopted by the Railway Police to make an extra income.

Policemen approach well-dressed and rich businessmen or professionals at railway ticket counters and offer to be their bodyguards during their “duty-cum-journey” in train compartments at a small cost.

However, the cost of protection of life is included in the railway ticket. Hats off to the ingenuity of the Railway Police.

RAJESH KHOSLA
Amritsar

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Judiciary & senior citizens

I read with immense interest the editorial “Endless wait” (June 23), focusing attention on the obnoxious bane of inordinate delays plaguing the country’s judicial system, and Chief Justice of India, Adarsh Sein’s deep concern over the matter.

Bluntly speaking, justice for the common man under the obtaining delay-ridden system seems a far cry; a game not worth the candle at all.

Senior citizens are, of course, the worst sufferers. A welfare state must give the decrepit old guys a better treatment. Mr Justice Sein has done a great service to the hapless section of the people by focusing on their plight and asking all courts in the country to evolve a mechanism which may ensure speedy disposal of the matters pertaining to them.

But, candidly speaking, the step earns for Mr justice Sein just two cheers. The crucial third cheer would become due only when he sees to it that his exhortation/directive to the courts is given a practical shape in letter and spirit, and the cases pertaining to senior citizens are disposed of within a specified time as a matter of course.

Senior citizens constitute just one segment of society, reeling under the accursed system. There are others — the poor, the infirm and the widows — in the incredibly long queue crying for urgent notice. We hope and pray that the chief justice would rise to the occasion.

TARA CHAND
Ambota (Una)

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Telecom troubles

Who says privatisation will result in the availability of better services? At least my experience is quite disappointing.

I am a fresh subscriber of Spice Telecom’s mobile service bearing telephone number 98140-02497. On the day when I got this connection — June 3, 1999 — I was told that the roaming facility would be provided within seven days. However, this proved to be a false promise. On top of that, even the queries were not attended to properly.

Whenever their number was dialled, the response was in a very rude tone. If all this affected my business, it is, after all, not their concern.

SUNIT KALRA
Abohar