A Degree or No Degree- Smriti Irani's Dilemma



I have followed Smriti Irani's career trajectory quite closely. Right from the time when she was the protagonist in 'Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabji Bahu Thi' till the time she became a part of the new cabinet and was vested with the responsibility of guiding the educational policy as the Human resource Development Minister. I am told that she was a Miss India finalist. I have observed her on television channels where she vociferously attacked the Congress on a number of issues. Her stamina and the articulate manner in which she voices her opinions are commendable. Smriti’s checkered history is indeed a success story; rising from a nondescript individual to a minister in the Modi cabinet.

Being in the educational sector, I have a number of policy suggestions for the new minister but that calls for a separate blog. I want to focus more on the contentious debate regarding her educational qualifications. She herself boldly stated that she should be judged by the quality of her work and not her educational qualification This is tantamount to suggesting the educational qualification are not a pre requisite to head a ministry which is solely responsible for influencing the educational policies in the world's largest democracy, a country where the educational system is plagued by a plethora of issues, a country where universal education remains a distant dream, a country where education has been unable to alleviate divisive social constructs and dogmas.

Education has the power to accelerate economic growth and facilitate social change. But I am often dismayed by the fact that the sector itself is mired with archaic regulations and control. Take for instance the rather preposterous requirement of a Bachelors Degree in Education (BEd) to head a school in the country. If anyone wants to head a school in Indian you must pursue a BEd without which you will be deemed unfit to be a principal anywhere in India. The course emphasizes rote learning and written examinations. We all know that our systems are not geared to the realities of the 21st century and don't encourage any critical thinking. But you must have a BEd nonetheless. Preposterous I say.

So you need a BEd to head an institution but the minister in charge who frames policies in conjunction with relevant consultations, does not have a university degree. Regulations like this have proven to be a hindrance and are preventing competent individuals to enter the profession. If they are already in the profession they have to go through the entire rigmarole of enrolling in a course which does not augment your knowledge base. Many individuals choose not to.

My message to Smriti Irani would be to either pursue a university degree which will bolster your credibility or abrogate such regulations. You can head a ministry without a degree but then you can’t expect educationists to pursue degrees to head institutions. 

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