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I have been involved in the field of education for the past two decades. My progression can be divided into parts and each has been an exhilarating experience. It was born out of passion and desire to share knowledge and experience gained.
To understand my experience better, it is necessary to go back to see how it all started. I have been working in leading corporate at various levels being a qualified Chartered Accountant and all through my motto was to be a willing learner and I was not afraid to take on challenges thrown at me, for I believe, if you want to progress up the corporate ladder, you must be willing to come out of your shell and take up responsibilities not connected to but ancillary to your area of work. This attitude paid rich dividends since each time I was required to reinvent myself and learn new skills.
It was at this juncture that I started thinking that is it enough if I continue to learn and progress or is it necessary to mentor and help others to rise in their respective fields. I was convinced that I must pass on my experience and knowledge for the benefit of others. But then the question remained as to I how and where do I begin? I had no prior experience in teaching and nuances involved in teaching more so when it involved teaching professional aspirants. It is a different ball game altogether.
It was at this juncture that a well wisher and a person with considerable experience suggested that instead of straightaway getting into conducting sessions, it is better to become an evaluator first so that one understands the subject and methodology as well the aptitude, learning skills displayed by the students etc. This can become a platform for setting the stage for teaching the right way including rectifying the defects noticed. Also there is ample scope for my own learning through revisiting the subjects and through interaction with students.
Thus began my journey in teaching profession. What started out as evaluation work from beginner level of CA Profession soon took me to higher levels including Final level. I started out by teaching subjects but very soon realized that this does not give the satisfaction that I was looking for. Teaching subjects did not provide the platform for mentoring and sharing knowledge and experience gained over the years. All this was done keeping my professional career in tact and it helped to reach higher levels in teaching.
This thought was prompted by the poor quality of professionals who despite possessing domain knowledge, could not measure up to expectations. Analysis into the causes convinced me that mere academic knowledge is not enough. These professionals also need skill sets and a desire to take up challenges and learn. I was convinced that there can be no progress without these skills being polished regularly.
It was at this time that the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (my Alma mater) realizing the need to better equip the future generation of Chartered Accountants to face current challenges in business came out with the course on General Management & Communication Skills and made it mandatory for every aspiring CA to go through the course.
Thus I got the opportunity I was looking for where I could share with the students all my experience and also teach them the subject. Each session consists of subject learning backed up by case studies based on actual business situations. This gave me the scope to utilize my experience and skills learned over the years . It required me to delve deep into my skills and devise sessions to keep the students engaged and make the session rewarding. To enhance my knowledge I underwent a specialized course on Management which not only helped me to enhance my teaching skills but came in handy in my professional career as well.
2. What is your opinion of the Indian education system and how would you like to change that?
Enough has been said on the state of our existing system of education. To understand this better we need to ask ourselves some questions.
- What is the purpose of education?
- Does it help in developing all round knowledge and skill sets required to make use of the education in life or is it that it merely produces millions of educated people who are not employable?
- Has the system of mere high scores as a means to higher education dented the ability of students to think and comprehend and reduced them to beat each other in scoring competition?
- Why do we still find such huge gap and inequality in imparting education to all eligible and needy students irrespective of their background?
I would like to quote here one relevant message which captures in essence the purpose of education-
"Education must equip one to meet all the challenges life throws at you"
This message captures in a nut shell the value of good education. We have become factories of producing millions of graduates each year who do not possess the knowledge, attitude, willingness to learn and adapt to challenges. This is the reason for most of these people not able to find the right employment since they just do not measure up. So long as we keep emphasizing on only learning without the need to developing the skills and analytical ability , situation is no likely to change and we will continue to witness one off stars like Sundar Pichai.
This tendency to ensure high scores does not stop at school or college level alone. It has percolated into higher echelons of Professional Course also. Mushrooming of several management institutes, medical and engineering institutions with no credentials has meant that the output is also poor since these institutes do not have the infrastructure required to impart quality education . Students are not challenged enough to test their knowledge and examinations are book based.
Most of the universities are ridden with problems and do not attract the right talent. This is because of the measly and low budget allocated to education which is hardly 3 % of our GDP.
Added to this, concentration of educational institutions in cities has meant that children in rural areas who desire to learn are deprived of what rightfully belongs to them. Such places are served by Government schools or thatched sheds passing of as schools. Emphasis is on making up the numbers which sadly, has failed since attendance is poor and drop out common due to socio economic factors.
There is an Urgent need to thoroughly overhaul the existing system of education which enables a student to think independently , develop the required skill set, understand the concepts fully and apply them .
But then how do we ensure this? Method of teaching needs to undergo a sea change. Right from the early stage, emphasis should be on balanced learning which apart from book knowledge helps the student develop himself/ herself to explore and learn.
But do we have the right teachers for this? Sadly the answer is no. After all these teachers have also come through the same system and believe that what they learnt needs to be passed on. They are not willing to reinvent themselves and stick to set pattern. Unless they challenge themselves, how will they challenge the students?
3. What changes in the teaching methodologies have you seen in the recent times?
All is not gloom and doom. Recognizing the need to produce graduates who can rise up to the demands of current day and to meet the future needs, emphasis is given to learning skills, establish conceptual clarity as well as ability to develop skill sets required . Keeping this in mind , many well meaning educationists with the active support of industrialists like Azim Premji have set up institutions with world class facilities . In addition, these foundations lays emphasis on taking education to rural areas which are in dire need of affordable schools . Another example of Corporate involvement is Shiv Nadar Foundation which is doing some great work. Highlight of this is the ability of these institutions to draw committed volunteers not necessarily teachers who are willing to take up the task of teaching out of desire and passion to develop educated citizens Several NGOs and not for profit institutions like teachers foundation are engaged in taking education to areas where education has not penetrated. Teachers foundation for example , apart from running schools in remote areas , imparts training to teachers on regular basis to teachers who work in such schools. These activities are supported by Corporate's as part of their CSR activities.
Apart from this, there is growing awareness among today’s parents as well as students to equip them with a sound knowledge base which is more pronounced in cities. Globalization and easy accessibility has made it easy for students willing to go that extra mile. Pursuit of Global education is easy with various universities across the world luring Indian Students. Side by side India is also witnessing a change in the way education is imparted since the need to impart quality education has been understood. Today, continuous education is easy thanks to both on line and off line classes at flexible timings being available.
Emphasis is placed on enhancing learning skills through practical exposure to students to live situations like summer projects where students are attached to companies to gain hands on experience.
A major development announced by the Government is the thorough overhauling of the current educational policy which has been notified today. The system intends to do away with the present one and lays emphasis on learning mother tongue. Focus will be on learning outcomes and vocational training.. The system of School/ College education needed a revolutionary change in Syllabus/ Teaching methodology/ Vocation oriented/ Versatile and in alignment with international systems and the Government seems to have taken a bold calculated decision to transform the obsolete system to a modern and much needed system. All stakeholders including States need to be brought on Board. Implemented properly, the proposed system will revolutionize the way education system functions.
4. How does education help one to do well in their career?
As I said earlier, a good education is one which equips one to face the challenges life throws. Today’s business is ever evolving and constantly changing in tune with global changes. It is ever dynamic and presents a great challenge and opportunity to excel and do well in the chosen career. Hence, need to be well educated cannot be overemphasized. A person who has undergone a sound education backed by willingness to reinvent himself constantly and never cease to learn can never fail and will certainly face any challenge thrown at him successfully.
World is witness to business leaders like Ratan Tata, Kiran Mazumdar Shaw to name a few who have combined their educational skills with business acumen, eye for detail and focus to emerge as leaders who are admired. This would not have been possible but for the foundation laid early in their life through sound education.
But one must remember that education is a stepping stone for achieving greater things in life. Focus must never be lost and for this the seeds must be sown early and students must grab it.
5. Do you think teaching as a profession is viewed at par with corporate jobs?
Answer to this is not simple. Both are different propositions. While Corporate Job requires one to perform to the best of one’s ability and meet stakeholders interests, teaching involves imparting knowledge to students of all abilities. Both are important in their own way. Having said this, teaching does not get the importance and remuneration it deserves. It is not appreciated that it is the education and foundation laid by teachers is what has enabled one to climb the corporate ladder and do well.
Teaching has still not got the recognition it deserves despite calling it a noble profession. Preaching does not fill stomachs nor will it enable one to devote oneself to the job. Except for a chosen few in Management Institutions, who are paid well on the plea that they prepare professionals; most at school level languish despite they being required to toil day and night to impart the right teaching keeping in mind to current needs.
This explains the reason for talent not willing to take up the profession as full time vocation. This needs to change and unless we take measures to address the issue seriously , we will never see good teachers coming forward despite our attempts to stream line learning systems to meet international standards.
6. How can we adopt technology to make teaching more effective?
Technology presents a great opportunity to teach students. If anything, the current pandemic has brought into sharp focus the need and importance of using technology to impart education. Education through technology has huge untapped potential. The education market in India is massive yet highly under penetrated with on line learning forming only 2% of this. Added to this, present day need to constantly educate oneself to stay relevant affords immense scope since all cannot afford to spend time in virtual class room. They look for convenient way to learn and on line provide this.
With demand rising for online method of learning with availability of systems, more so in urban areas and smaller cities, teaching methods are going to change. Online teaching also helps one to relearn the narrative multiple times which may not be so in virtual class rooms.
But there is a flip side to this. Even today, vast areas of the country do not have accessibility to internet which is a prerequisite. This explains the reason for many students not attending on line classes. Another problem faced is the difficulty in ensuring that students pay attention to what is taught on line. But these are teething troubles and can be overcome. A combination of class room teaching and on line teaching is what is required with emphasis on online learning in the days to time for the sheer convenience it offers.
7. Why does India need more educators like you?
As I have already stated business and economic conditions today pose major challenges. Globalization has brought in its wake the need for employees who do not confine themselves in a silo but are willing to look and think out of the box. They should become business partners which will require them to put all their efforts and knowledge as well as experience gained over the years to steer the business to greater heights and ensure that stakeholder interests are protected.
Business disruption is common and the pandemic has brought about a sea change and caused severe impact in the working of companies . Added to this events outside the domain, Government Policies, Disruptions caused by neighborly relations to name a few pose severe challenges. Business needs to reinvent and adopt to stay alive. It is here that well experienced professionals who have a sound knowledge can step in and impart knowledge as well as mentor employees to face the challenge and adopt strategy to help business.
But there is a flip side to this. Even today, vast areas of the country do not have accessibility to internet which is a prerequisite. This explains the reason for many students not attending on line classes. Another problem faced is the difficulty in ensuring that students pay attention to what is taught on line. But these are teething troubles and can be overcome. A combination of class room teaching and on line teaching is what is required with emphasis on online learning in the days to time for the sheer convenience it offers.
7. Why does India need more educators like you?
As I have already stated business and economic conditions today pose major challenges. Globalization has brought in its wake the need for employees who do not confine themselves in a silo but are willing to look and think out of the box. They should become business partners which will require them to put all their efforts and knowledge as well as experience gained over the years to steer the business to greater heights and ensure that stakeholder interests are protected.
Business disruption is common and the pandemic has brought about a sea change and caused severe impact in the working of companies . Added to this events outside the domain, Government Policies, Disruptions caused by neighborly relations to name a few pose severe challenges. Business needs to reinvent and adopt to stay alive. It is here that well experienced professionals who have a sound knowledge can step in and impart knowledge as well as mentor employees to face the challenge and adopt strategy to help business.
Interview by - Sanjana Jain
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