Introduction:
- The Ministry of Education has recently issued guidelines aimed at regulating coaching centres, responding to concerns over student welfare, increasing suicides, and the proliferation of unregulated private coaching.
- This move seeks to address the growing reliance on coaching centres, which has led to a shift away from traditional schooling and raised questions about the efficacy and impact of coaching culture on education.
Current State of Coaching Industry:
- The coaching industry in India generates a significant annual revenue of Rs 6,000 crore and is expanding at a rate of 7-10% annually.
- The scope of coaching has broadened beyond traditional entrance exams like NEET and JEE to include newer exams like CUET, as well as subject-specific tuitions.
- Additionally, a troubling trend has emerged where students are opting to leave formal schooling after Class X to join ‘dummy schools’ that allow them to focus solely on coaching for competitive exams like CUET.
Impact on School Education:
- This shift towards coaching centres has resulted in a devaluation of traditional schooling, particularly in the science stream.
- There’s a concern that if the current trend continues, high school education could lose its significance entirely, jeopardizing the foundational aspects of education that schools are meant to provide.
Role of Policy and Institutions:
- Policy makers have yet to adequately support students beyond the school level, leading to the rise of coaching hubs like Kota, which operate as parallel educational systems.
- The National Education Policy emphasizes holistic development and mental health support, highlighting the importance of schools in nurturing these aspects that coaching centres often neglect.
Challenges Posed by Coaching Culture:
- The coaching culture neglects crucial elements of adolescent development such as mental health, downtime, social interaction, and identity formation.
- Students are subjected to immense pressure, affecting their emotional stability and long-term well-being.
- Moreover, coaching centres often prioritize rigorous schedules over holistic development, depriving students of essential rest and nurturing environments.
Reimagining Education:
- True education should focus on imparting values and fostering goal-setting, rather than merely preparing students for exams.
- There’s a need for a shared vision where student well-being is prioritized, and education emphasizes agency, innovation, and responsibility.
- This requires engaging with students’ aspirations, fostering a supportive environment, and encouraging independent thinking and decision-making.
Conclusion:
Addressing the dominance of coaching culture requires a multifaceted approach that involves regulatory measures for coaching centres, reevaluation of educational policies, and a renewed emphasis on holistic development within schools.
By prioritizing student well-being and fostering a culture of innovation and agency, India can create an educational landscape that truly nurtures the potential of its youth.
Introduction
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s forthcoming official visit to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) on February 13-14, 2024, marks a significant milestone in India-UAE relations.
- This visit highlights the deepening ties between the two nations across various dimensions, ranging from cultural and economic to strategic cooperation.
Bilateral Relations: A Strategic Partnership
- Prime Minister Modi’s visit signifies the burgeoning bilateral relationship between India and the UAE, which has evolved into one of New Delhi’s most prominent partnerships in recent years.
- Notably, this will be Modi’s seventh visit to the UAE since 2015, highlighting the importance both nations place on strengthening ties.
- The close rapport between Prime Minister Modi and the President of the UAE, Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, further underscores the significance of this relationship.
Cultural and Religious Dimensions
- The inauguration of the BAPS temple in Abu Dhabi, built on land donated by the UAE President, demonstrates the cultural and religious ties between India and the UAE.
- This event follows the opening of the first Hindu temple in Dubai in 2022, reflecting the growing acceptance and respect for diverse faiths in the UAE.
Economic Partnership
- The economic partnership between India and the UAE has witnessed substantial growth, with bilateral trade reaching $85 billion in 2022-23.
- The Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement signed in 2022 aims to further boost trade and investment between the two countries.
- Additionally, the recent approval of a bilateral investment treaty is expected to significantly enhance economic engagement, particularly in manufacturing and foreign direct investment.
Technological Collaboration
- Collaboration in fintech, exemplified by the acceptance of the RuPay card and the operationalization of a rupee-dirham settlement system, underscores the technological convergence between India and the UAE.
- These initiatives contribute to advancing India’s Digital Public Infrastructure while facilitating financial transactions between the two countries.
Energy Security and Strategic Cooperation
- The UAE’s role as India’s trusted partner in energy security is highlighted by agreements to invest in strategic crude oil storage facilities in India.
- Defense and security cooperation, along with people-to-people ties, are critical aspects of the bilateral relationship, further solidifying India-UAE strategic ties.
Regional and Global Engagements
- Both countries actively engage in regional and global forums, showcasing their alignment on various issues such as climate change and cultural exchange.
- India’s participation in events like the World Government Summit and the UAE’s presence at the Republic Day parade in Delhi signify the depth of their partnership on the global stage.
Conclusion
Prime Minister Modi’s visit to the UAE symbolizes the multifaceted nature of the bilateral relationship, encompassing cultural, economic, and strategic dimensions.
Despite challenges such as the ongoing conflict in Gaza, the visit provides an opportunity for leaders to confer on critical issues and reaffirm their commitment to a robust partnership.
As India’s strategic partnership with the UAE continues to grow, both nations recognize the potential for further collaboration and mutual benefit in the years ahead
