NET:An incompetent method to evaluate the eligibility of lectureship

NET is based & thrives on the subject knowledge itself. It is reduced to a mere game of memory; the more you remember, the more you can answer the MCQs. But to be a lecturer, it takes more than just ticking the right options. Developing a student whilst piquing his/her interest in the concerned subject requires more skill than merely selecting a right option.

It is crucial for a lecturer, to empathize the concept, analyze it & understand the significance & relevance of that particular topic in our daily life & should be aware of its application and more importantly translating it to a student’s level so as to make the delivery of knowledge an easy, interactive & fun process. 

only the person who understands well can teach well. The NET does not provide for examining any of the above mentioned qualities.

The inept NET continues to qualify the unskilled candidates and make them eligible as lecturers. Certified as “Eligible”, these lecturers, unskilled and incompetent stand as an ideal before the unassuming students. They teach students with the same memory based techniques which they have mastered to qualify the NET and hence they fail to kindle student’s inherent scientific attitude. 

Today, our Indian Education system is churning out only labors (who at times lack the basic competence) and not scientists. A more popular evidence for this, is the Thomson Reuters report (2001-10), which was submitted to the Department of Science and Technology. According to this report, India accounts for just 3.5% of global research output. Due to our stagnant research, “India is being called as the sleeping giant of Asia.” (TOI, 2012)

At the inaugural function of the centenary year celebrations of Dakshineswar Ramkrishna Sangha Adhyapeeth, the Indian president, Mr. Pranab Mukherjee, spoke about our deplorable Indian Higher Education. He lamented, “We need more research and innovations in the country as India is far behind all other developed nations when it comes to higher Education.” He also added that none of the Indian Universities find their place amongst the top 200 rankings globally. He regretted the fact that many Indians received Noble prizes only when they were researching outside the country. (Business Standard, 2nd April 2015)

Understanding the dismal standard of Indian Higher Education, the Indian Education Regulatory authorities like the UGC, the CSIR & the Department of Science and Technology are now trying to provide the required infrastructure to Universities and Research Institutes but are neglecting to provide good quality mentors. However along with the infrastructure, proper guidance and intellectual environment, shapes or moulds the student to become the scientists of tomorrow.

It is said that mere criticizing wont be any fruitful or go the distance unless it is provided with an alternative. So while we are criticizing that NET is incapable to find good mentors, we need to find an alternative & a better method, to replace the old and inept one. One of the ways of this, could be to start looking at the education models practiced in developed countries.

We have gathered, that in developed countries a certificate course anywhere between 6 months to 1 year is conducted. Such courses are named as Diploma in Learning and Teaching in Higher Education or Post graduate Certificate in Higher Education & such. These courses focus on the teaching role of the academician in Higher Education, with reference to the diverse ways in which students learn. They provide a practical and theoretical ground-base in learning and teaching in Higher Education and emphasize the links between the conceptual frameworks and professional practice. The course enriches a candidate’s understanding of student learning & develop ideas for educational enhancement. Accomplishment of the course leads to improved teaching practices.

We are of the view that the UGC should also start similar part time certifications. Students wishing to pursue their career in the field of Teaching and Education should be allowed to take such kind of courses during their post graduation so as to enhance their understanding of Teaching/Learning process and student behavior & learning.

Scientifically, Teaching ability & its quality cannot be determined by solving multiple choice question papers & hence we need to revolutionize the process of finding eligible lecturers for our developing nation.

The certification courses thus provided should constitute but not be limited to, subjects like teaching and research methodology, psychology, communication and social awareness. The aspiring teacher should be assessed by observing their teaching methodology, written assignment, individual and group presentation along-with their participation in social and cultural activities. It requires a minimum of 6 months to refine and groom a candidate to prep for classroom teaching. This additional certification becomes increasingly important in the light of the fact that no such grooming is currently provided at any post graduation level.

We opine that this Teaching Certificate course will provide freedom & flexibility to students who aspire to become Teachers/Lecturers & choose their career at post graduation level. The UGC should allow taking this course at the second year, so that by the Final year the aspirant will be ready to pursue his/her teaching career.  This will not only help the aspirants to save their valuable time but also spare them from the misery of course & qualification confusion. The aforementioned certification course is expected to provide us good mentors and teachers, which is the dire need of our country at this moment. To facilitate & boost the growth and development of our Country, Higher Education authority should replace ineffective NET with effective teaching certificate course.