Will Only Written Examinations Work?
The written examination format, especially for entrance into various formidable institutes like IITs or engineering colleges is rapidly losing its value. One of the foremost reasons for such a downfall is that a written test doesn’t always give a complete picture of the personality of a pupil (or a wannabe student).
I still remember giving examinations and joining one of the prestigious institutions of India, JNTU. In the first few days I found few of my classmates, grouping themselves in the range of ranks they got in EAMCET. That was not only funny, but in another way a complete tragedy as the students thought of themselves and others based on the ranks they scored. Of course, before a year finished that engineering examination model was all about reading few ‘particular’ books.
That was the scene almost a decade ago. And recently Managing Director with Tata Steel, B.Muthuram had said, “We are not likely to recruit them (IIT graduates) any longer”. Reason is IIT students rate themselves above the others, and the teachers they have had no idea what these students should be taught.
The statement coming from such a person should serve as an eye-opener for all those involved in building a better education system for Indian children. However, the changes can be easily said than done.
I have heard that National Institute of Design, Ahmedabad (known as NID) has a unique way of selecting students. After the initial written test, few selected students will undergo a series of interviews. These interviews are not very serious, but are so casual that a panel of teachers (and probably few senior students) get a fair view of the aptitude of the student. Unless the Aptitude and the course chosen by the student match, the admission will not be given. This was done a few years ago (I believe it has evolved to be better).
I’m not sure about the drop ratios of each of these national institutes, but I believe only those with better students and good teachers only will survive. Unfortunately today better students are those who have a better rank and good teachers are those who have too many degrees to their names.
It will be of a great help to the nation, if the IITs and other such institutes are given another criteria of selecting students, in addition to the written examination. With three more IITs coming in the next few years, it will be interesting to see, what kind of measure will be taken to improve the class of IIT.