Peer Mohammad Amir Qureshi
First and foremost, I extend my heartfelt congratulations to all the remarkable Neet’ians who have emerged triumphant this time around. It is their unwavering diligence,unyielding commitment, and unwavering dedication that have enabled them to conquer the pinnacle of excellence in the most esteemed examination whose results were declared yesternight.The aspirants who have fallen short this time must not surrender, but rather embrace the realization that there exists a crucial element that eludes them, prompting them to fervently strive towards its attainment.
There’s a famous proverb that “Success has many fathers, but failure is an orphan.” A deluge of promotions and lucrative collaborations has inundated the media landscape, with coaching centers extending accolades and attributing their success to these symbiotic alliances, spanning from social media platforms to print publications.It’s intriguing how coaching institutes eagerly showcase their successful students everywhere, from social media to newspapers.
According to the Facebook post of Syed Rizwan Geelani who is associated with the giant news daily of Kashmir and covers education for them has posted.”One of the “Modified version” of a coaching institute in Srinagar has prepared a List of students who have qualified NEET UG 2023 and has claimed all these students were enrolled at the institute.
But soon after the post was shared on social Media, some students, whose names and pics were displayed in the post, have started approaching the coaching institute asking them to remove their names saying that they were never enrolled in the coaching institute…. Any coaching institute which claims to have produced NEET qualifiers should also produce the attendance sheet of all these students as well.
Otherwise they should refrain from deceiving parents and students Let Good sense prevail”.In the wake of this latest mishap, numerous parents have voiced apprehensions, questioning whether these coaching centers surreptitiously insert fabricated names into their roster of accomplished students to artificially enhance their prestige. It behooves the responsible entities, both in print and social media realms, to exercise utmost diligence and verify the authenticity of the information they disseminate before broadcasting it to the world.
Yet, one thing perplexes me—why don’t they accept responsibility for the failures too? After all, they are equally accountable for the students’ lack of success. In the course of time, coaching centers have metamorphosed into bustling marketplaces, where the art of pedagogy is an exquisite commodity. However, just as an astute merchant would never dare display a flawed merchandise in their coveted shop window, so too should these esteemed establishments withhold any subpar educational offerings from the discerning public.
Coaching centers and schools ought to provide a comprehensive list of students who didn’t pass their exams. It’s only fair to disclose the exact number of students who faced difficulties. While they eagerly take credit for a single student’s exceptional achievement, they should also acknowledge the collective responsibility for those who didn’t make the cut. Transparency in showcasing results will foster a more realistic representation of their impact and provide a holistic view of their educational contributions.
Cease the unabashed appropriation of a student’s toil, for education has devolved into a lamentable charade where the sacred essence is desecrated. The beleaguered learners bear the brunt of an unforgiving maelstrom, perpetuated by the dog-eat-dog competition amongst coaching behemoths. It is imperative to renounce the practice of laying claim to the fruits of their labor and instead, cultivate an environment that fosters support, enlightenment, and intellectual growth.
Let education reclaim its noble purpose, where students transcend the strife and find solace in a sanctuary free from pernicious rivalry.Why is it that the teachers within school walls do not impart knowledge with the same unwavering zeal and commitment as their counterparts in coaching institutes? Although restricted from engaging in private tutoring, this directive often falls on deaf ears, as the sanctity of education is overshadowed by the pursuit of profit.
I have personally witnessed esteemed schools in Jammu and Kashmir shamelessly branding themselves as local businesses on their Facebook pages. Just last week, while watching a video on Facebook, an advertisement surfaced, enticing individuals with the prospect of a lucrative business opportunity in Kashmir, acting as distributors for a renowned international school, resembling the strategies employed by commercial enterprise as that of other companies
Alas!. In my personal conviction, the existence of coaching institutes appears incongruous, for the noble pursuit of education has been hijacked and reduced to a mere profit-driven enterprise, rendering education a subject of ridicule rather than enlightenment.It is imperative for the government to take heed of the pedagogues engaged in clandestine private ventures, subjecting them to rigorous scrutiny and ultimately severing their ties to public service.
By doing so, the government would redress the plight of jobless youth, whose rightful opportunities may be impinged upon by these dual-practicing educators.Lastly my discontent is not aimed at any particular coaching institute or teacher, but rather directed towards the pervasive syndicate of coaching institutions that possesses the audacity to exploit any means at their disposal, leaving no stone unturned in their insatiable pursuit of profit.
(The author is a columnist and Poet pursuing an msc in zoology from HNBGU UTTRAKHAND. He tweets @peermohdamir)