An honest opinion on the possible misunderstanding

Abuibou Daimai *

Initiating new methods to raise the parameters of conducting Exams to high standard in fair manner as stated by Hon'ble Education Minister Govt. Of Manipur, M. Okendro is altogether endorsed by one all.The Minister's endeavour is to be praised.

However, if the Minister's statement is to be carried out to the letter and be relied on, or be relied upon, some ambiguities may be addressed. The following may be pointed out :

1. To conclude that students indulge in mass copying because of esteemed DM. College's Entrance Test Result is unfortunate, unfair and uncalled for. Questions may be raised. For instance. Is DM College a measuring rod for Manipur's Education ? Does this College embody the whole of Manipur's education system?

Are the Entrance Test Questions in infinity with general learning ? What, if test candidate(s) encounter unfavourable circumstances, stresses or crisis of any kind at the time of Test, is it fair to drag them down to COHSEM and BOSEM Examinations. To allege without reasonable proof is legally wrong and insinuating. To accuse the students in this way is to censure against the OCs and invigilators of the Exams.

2. Newly recruited RMSA teachers to be deputed as micro-observers indicates lack of trust on the well qualified and experienced Exam OCs and invigilators. Furthermore, it is against general protocol to appoint junior SDOs to scrutinize the activities of senior DCs who are higher in rank and experience. If such steps are to be adopted, it is proper that they are in place from the very beginning of classes days instead of introducing them as last minute measures to salvage what has already gone wrong. The same goes for the use of Cameras and modern gadgets.

The human eye, mind and logic can never be replaced by artificial gadgets however sophisticated and secured they may be. Such suggestions are childish. It can lead to distractions in the kind of Exam Centres that Manipur have right now.

3. Computerised encoding of answer sheets sounds so simple and effective. Easier said than done, when we consider some factors. How can one expect a computer to logically determine the clear-cut answer for questions. Say, in the affective domain, cognative domain-application, understanding or reflective etcetera..etc.? in these cases, the questions may perhaps be open-ended implying the uses of the writer's imagination and understanding. In which case the answer can be varied. Most answer of this type cannot be reduced to figurative forms of answer.

4. To use a warning tone against the rise of CBSE affiliated Schools in the state and calling it an 'unhealthy trend' is the most silly thing to say. One does not expect a man of such high standing to even hint such an opinion. It is a statement worthy to be interpreted as a breach and contract and defiance against the Constitution of India, for education is a subject under Concurrent List.

5. Mission and Private Institutions becomes battering ground for RTE Act. These institutions are prohibited from conducting Entrance Tests for admission while school such as Navodaya Vidayalaya, which comes directly under Human Resource Ministry, are conducting Entrance Test even now as this is being written. It therefore can be assume that RTE Act applies only to Private / Mission School.

The above is an honest opinion on the possible misunderstanding and practicalities that can be involved in any new ventures of this kind. It is wise to weigh words before uttering whole sale and then later discover that there is a snag. This is meant to bring to light certain negative aspects that may arise in the new process and not to hurt sentiments or express disapproval.