Education Ministry has created a nine-member panel, headed by Higher Education Secretary Vineet Joshi, to examine student dependency on coaching centres. The committee will review entrance exam fairness, the phenomenon of "dummy schools," and the gaps in formal schooling, aiming to recommend measures for a more holistic and less stressful education system.
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The Ministry of Education has constituted a 9‑member panel led by Vineet Joshi to analyse dependence on coaching centres—especially dummy schools—and enhance fairness and efficacy in entrance exams.
Over-reliance on Coaching => There is a growing concern that the formal schooling system is being overshadowed by a parallel coaching industry, which places immense pressure on students.
Rise of 'Dummy Schools' => These are institutions where students enroll simply to meet formal requirements while dedicating their entire time to coaching centers for entrance exam preparation. This practice undermines the importance of regular schooling.
Rote Learning v/s Critical Thinking => The current system is criticized for encouraging rote memorization rather than developing essential skills like critical thinking, logical reasoning, and analytical abilities.
The nine-member panel is headed by the Union Higher Education Secretary, Vineet Joshi. It comprises a diverse group of stakeholders, including:
The panel will assess the effectiveness and fairness of entrance examinations and their role in fueling the growth of the coaching industry.
Committee's Terms of Reference (ToR)
Analyze Gaps in Schooling => To identify the shortcomings in the school system that push students toward coaching centers.
Tackle 'Dummy Schools' => To investigate the reasons for the emergence of dummy schools and suggest measures to mitigate their impact on formal education.
Review Entrance Examinations => To study the fairness and effectiveness of competitive exams and their influence on the coaching industry.
Examine Coaching Center Practices => To review the advertising and marketing strategies of coaching centers, including misleading claims and selective success stories, and recommend regulatory mechanisms.
Assess Demand for Higher Education => To analyze how the imbalance between the high demand for quality higher education and the limited number of seats in premier institutions drives the coaching culture.
Strengthen Career Counseling => To evaluate the effectiveness of career guidance services in schools and suggest ways to make students and parents aware of diverse career pathways.
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PRACTICE QUESTION Q. Which of the following are the objectives of the Vineet Joshi panel:
Select the correct answer using the code given below: A) 1, 2 and 3 only B) 1, 3 and 4 only C) 2 and 4 only D) 1, 2, 3 and 4 Answer: B Explanation: The Union Education Ministry has formed a committee headed by Higher Education Secretary Vineet Joshi to address the growing dependency on coaching centers and related issues within the education system. Based on the committee's stated Terms of Reference (ToR). Statement 1 is correct: The panel is explicitly tasked with examining the reasons for the rise of "dummy schools" and their role in encouraging full-time coaching at the expense of formal schooling. Statement 2 is incorrect: The panel's mandate is to examine the gaps in the current schooling system that lead to a reliance on coaching, not to propose a completely new National Curriculum Framework. Statement 3 is correct: The committee's ToR includes assessing "the role and impact of formative assessments at school and higher education levels" and how their absence affects students' conceptual understanding and preparation for exams. Statement 4 is correct: The panel is assigned to review the advertising practices of coaching centers, including misleading claims and selective success stories, and to recommend suitable regulatory mechanisms. |
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