The first session of KLF 2018 opened up with a brilliant discussion on ‘Higher Education in Kerala’. The main venue ‘Ezhuthola’ sparkled with eminent personalities and a galaxy of vice chancellors including K Jayakumar, Jancy James, Dr. J Prasad, B S Warrier , T.P Sethumadhavan with Meena T Pillai as the moderator.
The examination system of today’s century is a mere commodity thing which lacks quality and accountability, the session analyzed the quality of higher education which underwent critical examination.
K Jayakumar commented that the higher education is seen as a method for acquiring job and it lacks intellectual quest at both the UG and PG level. He opined that this leads to the enormous wastage of human resources in the state.
Rather than student’s politics, the politics of a teacher is also important, which demands a paradigm shift he added.
The statement was supported by T P Sethumadhavan, he said students are not concerned about a world beyond academics.
Jancy James demanded that we need more public awareness to acquire accountability in the system. The world is changing and an immense training is needed to improve the quality. She also pointed out the reality that today’s society has many B.Techs but no engineer and many MBBS but no doctors.
According to Dr.J Prasad the main challenges are the curriculum change and the lack of scientific analysis. Individual autonomy the proper utilization of facilities is needed for the improvisation.
Meena T Pillai commented that most students are depressed as money is needed for education and they are getting qualified without interest
The words of B S Warrier threw an insight on the achievements we acquired over the past century.
The discussion was concluded with the thought that the public participation is required in the improvisation of higher education system.