Degrees of language
Apropos the row over the PM's degree, I am reminded of the 60s and 70s when one could have a degree and subsequently a PG degree in Hindi and Punjabi by clearing the examinations of Ratan, Bhushan and Prabhakar in Hindi and Gyani in Punjabi. A person with these qualifications could even get the job of a language teacher in a school. One must have had passed matric with the respective language to be eligible to appear in these exams. The irony is that such qualified persons were called "via Bathinda" qualified as no formal education in any college etc. was required.
Kamlesh garg, Augusta, Georgia
Check teachers
The report of improvement in the education standard of state-run primary schools of Punjab is a welcome news. But there still is a huge gap between the standards of private and government schools despite the fact that the emoluments of government teachers are much more than those of their private counterparts. The main problem is lack of accountability. Government teachers should be made answerable for the poor results of students and recognised for good results. Frequent surprise checks will go a long way in preventing idleness of teachers. Only then will Punjab be able to make its masses well-read.
Jatin Mittal, Budhlada (Mansa)
Learning English
Apropos the article "English as she is spoke" by S. Nihal Singh (May 7), the presenters of TV channels and RSS or political leaders cannot be blamed for the deterioration of the English language or incorrect pronunciation of words in India. Before being exposed to the channels or newspapers, a child is exposed to the home and school environment which plays a role in helping him learn correct English. The role of the teacher is very crucial in this matter.
Priyanka Gaur, Karnal
English for global man
In his piece "English as she is spoke'' (May 7), S. Nihal Singh has emphasised the need to check the downfall of the spoken English language, where TV channels could show the way. However, acoustic phonetics (sound transmission) and auditory phonetics (sound perception) come second to articulated phonetics (various parts of the mouth and throat usages). We need trained language teachers at the grassroots level. This language has earned us bread and butter and which is why western countries are welcoming us only with the condition of having passed the International English Language Testing System (IELTS). A language is not a symbol of patriotism but an identity of an individual who has qualified to be a global man. It is appreciable that The Tribune is highlighting the importance of languages, specially English.
BR DHIMAN, Nadaun
Sanskrit texts rich
It is incorrect to describe Sanskrit as a ceremonial language used in only religious rituals. The Sanskrit language and it's literature are a repository of knowledge encompassing every walk of life, be it science and technology, agriculture and sculpture, astronomy and architecture, medicine and metallurgy, mathematics and management, economics and ecology. Siddharta-Shiromani and Kutuhalam are famous works on mathematical astronomy by Bhaskaracharya, a great mathematician and astronomer of the 12th century AD. The law of gravitation was propounded by him about 500 years before Newton. Sage Virahmira authored the famous Brahm-samhita on agriculture. Sushruta is known to have performed miraculous surgeries and wrote Sushuruta Samhita, a compendium on aryuveda, a treatise on health and longevity. Buddhist philosopher Nagarjuna was also an erudite ayurvedic physician and an expert in chemistry. There is no harm if our future technocrats and scientists are made aware of the great legacy of our ancestors. We need Sanskrit to bridge the ancient and the modern, to unravel the knowledge contained in the ancient texts and to lead India into the forefront of the future knowledge-driven globe.
SK Dua, Mandi Dabwali
Govt vs pvt schools
Rule 134 A of Haryana School Education Rules 2003 has led to acrimonious feelings between government and private schools. Noticeably, the Rule was added to the Rules in 2007 and further substituted in 2009 and again in 2013. This frequent substitution speaks of the inefficacy of the Rule creating a crass question. It is still in imbroglio of the courts to the extent of contempt notices. Education is an area that needs humane approach and this factor has hardly been appreciated by those who matter. It may prove useful if this Rule is deleted and RTE, in its original form, is implemented fully. The state government should chalk out a plan, taking all stakeholders into confidence, to raise the standard of education in government schools. If the wards of politicians, bureaucrats and teachers of government schools are admitted to government schools, the picture is bound to change. There are success stories of government schools too. Commitment and consistency in teachers and administration can transform the learning outcomes there. Extravagant ideas and unimplementable decisions should be abandoned.
S KUMAR, Panchkula
Moral education lacking
It is unpleasant to know that an educated youth was involved in violence and destruction of public property ("Youth denied bail to appear in MA exam", May 7). The court has rightly denied him bail. This is empirical evidence of the fact that the modern education lacks moral values. Today, students are given only worldly knowledge: how to earn money, how to raise buildings, how to live a luxurious life etc. but not moral education. Moral education must be made compulsory up to class X and optional thereafter so that society is morally strong. Without moral education, we are preparing 'educated idiots'.
Ravinder kwatra, Shahabad Markanda
Teach civic manners
This is apropos the news item “Haryana set to re-introduce moral education” (April 15). The first objective of education is to prepare good citizens and that is possible only if we inculcate values among our students at the school level. Civic values are traffic rules, punctuality, fraternity, dignity of labour, patriotism, honesty, respect to gurus and older persons, etc. It would be good if the new chairman of Board of School Education, Haryana, got these values included in the syllabus of school education. Primary schoolteachers must be trained in teaching moral and civic values.
DS HOODA, Rohtak
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