India is a country with vast potential. The key to unlocking this potential lies in the hands of the few who guide and teach the younger generation. This is a realization that seemingly has not reached the population of India since teaching is still considered a fallback job, never a job that is to be aimed for.
Premier Engineering Colleges in India pride themselves on their faculty being Phd scholars who do their own research alongside teaching students. This promises students an opportunity to get wider exposure to the courses they are pursuing and to gain a deeper understanding regarding their subjects should they decide to do so. As a student at one of these colleges, from first hand experience, i can say that this is not the case in India.
There are several reasons, the teacher is forced to teach irrespective of his interests. The subjects he teaches are not always related to his field of study. The only reason he teaches is so that he can earn his paycheck. The researcher loses his focus and time, the students don't gain any advantage in learning. Added to that, there is a lack of motivation from the teacher. It is everybody's waste of time.
In a country like India, there are several languages spoken and getting a Phd does not necessitate the learning of English which is the medium of teaching in these colleges. This means that the teachers at these colleges are forced to teach in a language which they never learnt their subject in nor can they communicate effectively in. These scholars are also reluctant to waste their time learning English since that is not what they are interested in, they would rather spend that time doing their research.
Combining the language barrier with lack of motivation of faculty means that transfer of information in classes is marginal at best.
There is no simple solution to this problem. The primary problem lies in the opinion and inclination of the community at large towards teachers who are looked at as those people who could not achieve anything and hence started teaching. Once the importance of teaching is established and teaching made a position of honor and respect. When teaching becomes a job on which families can sustain themselves, when you hear students aspiring to be teachers, who truly want to spread the knowledge that they possess, that is when you can have teachers who teach for the students, for the future. This is the fire that can burn the place the of a civilization in history and lead it to progress.
The language barrier can be addressed once the teachers are motivated to teach and they realize that they cannot teach without improving their English. It is also necessary that the researchers teach the fields that are researching in and not any other stream. This would allow them a refresh of their basics which might lead to unexpected breakthroughs.
The Education System in India is deeply flawed, and this is the biggest flaw.
If the inspiration for most students are not respected for what they do, then who will the students respect?
If those who stand up for the future are not supported, then who will be the next to stand up?
The Importance of teaching.
