Issue 55 Vol III, January 15, 2008

A N A L Y S I S

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Schooling and Illiteracy co-exist in Punjab
Gobind Thukral

TO say Punjab’s education system is in a gaping mess is to state the obvious. Even the chief Minster Parkash Singh Badal admits that state’s education system is severely afflicted. He had pronounced at his 81st birthday celebration at Bhatinda: “I know many schools in Punjab are without proper buildings or toilets. Many schools have no libraries or laboratories. The number of teachers is not sufficient. The teachers who are there either do not attend the schools or do not teach.” He has been repeating it. In the winter sessions of the Punjab assembly, the Education Minister admitted more than once. She looked a picture of pity when she said, “we have been begging for funds from the finance minister.” Hard luck for her.

The Akali- BJP Government is saying at various levels that state suffers from insufficient funds to provide proper schools. Is this the case? Does the state need huge fund to send truant teachers back to schools or to provide small things like toilets and blackboards? Evidently the will do manage the education department is lacking. It is also forgetting that it gets huge grants from the central government under Sarav Shiksha Abhiyan. It has also announced to recruit 14,000 teachers. It has also decided that in each assembly segment three schools would be given a grant of Rs. 50 lakh each. This would mean 350 odd schools that would get sufficient money. But these account for only 2% of government schools as there are 18,000 schools in Punjab. 98% schools shall have to fend for themselves. At God’s mercy indeed.

The chief minister has another fad for Adarsh Schools. He wants one school in each block. It would be a modern state of the art school. Under this plan the government through the panchayat is to provide between 10 to 25 acres of land and Rs. Two crore as grant for buildings etc. it will also meet 70% of reckoning expenses each year. The schools, however, will be managed by private industrial houses that may or may not have any experience of managing educational institutions. Officers at various levels have opposed this plan; arguing, if the government is to provide land and infra structure and bear a major portion of the running expenses, why should these be handed over to private industrial houses. It was also suggested that the government should provide and run these schools on its own. Government schools are in bad shape. It should try to provide minimum facilities to all these schools. The state should avoid creating two classes of schools. It is too dangerous for the social cohesion of the society.

In Punjab already two different classes of schools exist; public schools for the wards of the rich, private good quality schools for middle classes and the government schools for the poor, the Dalits and the pauperised sections. This is creating conflict-ridden tendency. The very purpose of the education is to create knowledgeable citizens who are aware of their duties and rights and commitment to public welfare. The relationship between the teacher and taught; sacred is now a skewed relationship. Education is now a commodity, on sale in the market place. The teacher sells it to the highest bidder and helps to obtain high marks, thorough fair and foul means and the relationship ends with the students paying the requisite amount. This is what guru shishia relationship are these days. The middle classes do not argue against this. They would very much want to swim with the tide. It is a straight deal.

According to a UNESCO report for Punjab published last November, between 35-56% teachers are normally absent from schools and according to an earlier World Bank study, 49% teachers who go to schools do not take classes. A survey by the Planning Commission for 2006 tells us that 40% students of the fourth class can not read or write. According to NCERT, 15-20% students in Punjab schools suffer from illiteracy.

It’s interesting that the examination results for primary schools range between 97%, but as was observed in March 2000, the result for the middle class is 54%. This year 2, 33,000 students failed in class 8th. So 70% in government schools, there is no 9th class. These 2.30,000 students left the school. There is a huge dropout. It mocks at the school education system in Punjab. What a woeful situation is this!

According to a UNESCO report, 15% children leave schools at the 1st standard and another 25-30% students leave at the 5th standard. And 50% do not reach the 8th standard. This drop rate touches 70-78% at the matriculation level. It is clear 50% students do not pass the 8th standard examination. Only 30 % reach matriculation and 15% enter 10+2 area. Only four per cent rural students enter universities or higher education. Swaran Singh Boparai, the Punjabi university Vice Chancellor, acutely ware of this situation, had started rural campuses from the funds raised from non resident Punjabi philanthropists. But this was not liked and he was removed from the position.

There is no coaching facility for rural students. Staff shortage in rural colleges is the worst. One college in Gurdaspur district has only two lecturers and no building for the past ten years. It is housed in a school. Education Minister Dr. Upinderjit Kaur recently informed the Punjab Assembly that 839 posts of lecturers of various subjects were vacant across the state: 87 in English, Punjabi 116, Hindi 26, History 61, Political Science 62, Economics 51, Mathematics 31, Commerce 52, Physics 31, Chemistry 47 and Zoology 24. Various posts of lecturers have been lying vacant in 54 government colleges.

Rural areas suffer the worst where the failure rate is very high

India has 350 universities and 17,600 colleges for engineering, medical sciences, business management, law, architecture, agriculture and other subjects. Here only 10% of young boys and girls in the age group of 18-24 study. They mostly belong to urban area. Interestingly 96% of the budget on education is spent on higher education. Only 4% is spent on rural areas.

A World Bank Report for 2006-07 says that 70-75% of the 84 lakh graduates of various kinds are good for nothing. It also says that professional and vocational courses suffer equally like humanities and liberal subjects. This is the reason that among top hundred universities India has none.

The government is running away despite tall claims from its constitutional obligations. It ought to offer all children education for eight years from year 6-14. The universal education programme is failing in every respect. In literacy and primary education India ranks 105 this means that 104 countries are above India. Punjab is number 23 among 35 different Indian states. What a pity! Some Adarsh schools clearly are the not answer. How do we accept the position where teachers bribe to get selected and posted at places of their choice? That is not a substitute for managing the education system in Punjab.

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China, Balancing Western Materialism with Eastern Spirituality
Sawraj Singh

China’s attitude towards Confucius and traditional spirituality may be changing. The Chinese communists want to build a new culture in China. During the sixties, Confucius was considered feudal, old fashioned, and a part of bourgeois culture. Now, attitudes toward Confucius are changing.

What is the reason for this change? Chinese society is now feeling the impact of globalization and material progress. The younger generation in China is very much influenced by Western culture. This is causing great concern not only among the parents, but also in the Communist party itself. Confucius is now seen as a representative of traditional Chinese culture. Confucianism preaches self discipline, harmony, stability, and social order.

These values are very relevant in modern Chinese society. Many Confucian schools are opening in China. Parents who send their young children to these schools feel that they are very good for their children as well as for Chinese society. There is a feeling that Chinese society is getting too focused on material things and ignoring the spiritual aspect of life. The parents hope that by attending these schools, their children will learn virtues such as courtesy, kindness, and respect for elders.

This phenomenon of the revival of Confucianism in China only shows that attitudes change according to changed conditions. During the cultural revolution, China perceived Confucianism as an obstacle in the development of socialism in China. However, globalization has made it clear that now, the threat of western cultural invasion has become the major concern for Chinese society. Under the changed conditions, Confucianism is finding a new relevance.

Whatever is happening in China is not unique to China, but is a problem faced by the whole world. The biggest problem faced by mankind is that under the influence of globalization, the highest stage of capitalism, there is unbalanced growth. There is only emphasis on material growth but the spiritual aspect of life has been ignored. All of the societies are paying the price for this imbalance. Western materialism has to be balanced by Eastern spirituality. Confucius is now seen as a representative of Eastern spirituality in China. Confucianism is an essential part of Eastern spirituality. Japanese Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda is also recognizing this; on his recent visit to China, he paid homage to Confucius by visiting his grave.

Chairman Mao Tse Tung deviated from traditional Marxism when he said that culture is an independent entity. Traditional Marxism considered culture only as a manifestation of the underlying economic infrastructure. However, Chairman Mao fell short of endorsing spirituality as an essential element of culture. As capitalism has developed to a new stage, new contradictions have emerged. Therefore, the revival of Eastern spirituality is vital to combat the ill effects of globalization.

[Sawraj Singh M.D. F.I.C.S. Chairman, Washington State Network for Human Rights]

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The rising graph of violence worldwide
Gobind Thukral

Historians tell us that 20th century has been the violence century inhuman memory. Two world wars and numerous other deadly wars marked that fateful century which could otherwise should have been known as the most creative times of human history with its s big p leaps science, technology  and arts. Tragically 21st century is not being better any more. The world leaders and their projects portend to make as the worst. Exploitation and violence mark this epoch. We look at just one day, first day of the year 2008 and are horrified by the extent and intensity of violence worldwide.

At least 27 militants killed in Pakistan in two days of clashes in South Waziristan tribal area of northwestern Pakistan along the border with Afghanistan. The clashes broke out after pro-Taliban militants kidnapped four para-military soldiers in the area. Five militants were killed yesterday and 22 overnight. Both sides used heavy weaponry in firing that went on through the night.

Authorities in India's restive Assam imposed a curfew and called out the army in Goalpara district after four Muslim protesters were shot dead by police and dozens wounded in clashes. The trouble began after hundreds of people, mostly Muslims settlers originally from Bangladesh, attacked a police station protesting against a government decision not to hold village council elections. The area is part of an autonomous council of tribal people and Muslim settlers fear the tribals could corner most opportunities in the absence of an elected village council.

Two assailants with guns and grenades ambushed a police recruitment centre in Rampur city in northern India in an attack that killed seven police officers and a civilian, while suspected Maoist rebels shot dead four soldiers in the neighbouring state of Bihar. The Maoist rebels ambushed a group of soldiers and shot dead four of them.

The death toll of Kenya post-electoral violence climbed to 328 after overnight violence yielded 22 more fatalities in the country's western towns people in politically related-violence since December 27 polling day.

A large car sped toward a police station and exploded at its doors early morning, according to witnesses in Naciria, a town 70kms east of the Algerian capital. The Interior Ministry said the bomb attack killed at least three people and injured twenty.

At least 12 dead in Nigeria oil city violence over New Year in Nigeria's oil capital Port Harcourt when gunmen attacked two police stations and a hotel,  it l included both civilians and police. The latest violence followed the lifting  of a curfew on the city that had been in place since the last fighting there four months ago.

Seven killed in Iraq suicide attack as a suicide bomber blew himself up in Baquba and wounded 16 in an attack aimed at an anti-Qaeda patrol. Four people were killed and 16 injured. Three women and a police officer were injured. Among the dead was a leader of a local Awakening Council, US-backed militia groups who have turned against Al-Qaeda. A patrol with 20 members in three vehicles was the target of the suicide attack.

US-led coalition and paramilitary forces in Iraq were responsible for some 24,000 violent civilian deaths in 2007, according to an independent group monitoring casualties in the war-ravaged country. The group said that as of January 1 2008, the total for violent civilian deaths to the end of 2007 in Iraq was between 81,174 and 88,585.

Suspected Tamil Tiger rebels set off a powerful roadside bomb in the Sri Lankan capital Colombo Wednesday, killing five people and wounding 28 others. The powerful Claymore mine targeted an army bus transporting wounded soldiers but most of the victims were civilians. It was the second high-profile attack in the capital in as many days.

Roadside bombs and military operations in Afghanistan killed 19 people, including 14 Taliban fighters, as the record violence that Afghanistan saw in 2007 continued into the New Year. Afghan and foreign troops killed eight suspected Taliban fighters in southern Afghanistan, while a roadside bomb in Khost province killed two Afghan security guards working for a U.S. military base. Five other militants were killed in separate incidents when roadside bombs they were planting exploded prematurely.  Taliban militants killed an Afghan army officer and wounded another in Helmand province's Sarkono area. Police in Khost killed a would-be suicide bomber who was carrying hand grenades as he tried to enter a police checkpoint. A roadside bomb in the south killed two border police in Kandahar province.

Six members of Hamas' military wing, Ezzedine al-Qassam Brigades, were killed and three other people were injured in an Israeli air strike on Gaza City overnight.

Eleven New Year revellers in Mongolia died and dozens more fell seriously ill after drinking vodka that contained industrial alcohol, authorities said Wednesday.

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Mayhem in Malaysia
Saru Goyal

THE movement of capital in the 21st century faces far less restrictions worldwide. However, in this globalised world, the labour encounters fresh barriers each passing day. Interestingly as the governments in the developed world and in some near developed countries place new restrictions, illegal emigration of workers is encouraged albeit clandestinely. It may be America for Mexicans, Hispanics and Asians or Europe for Africans and Asians or even countries like Malaysia or West Asia particularly Dubai or Abu Dhabi and Saudi Arabia, immigration authorities place untold limits, but bat an eyelid letting illegal workers stay put. This helps industry and farms get cheap drudge labour.

The latest to join is Malaysia, basking with rich resources like electricity generation, petroleum and palm oil. It stunned the world when it announced that it will suspend the recruitment of workers from India and Bangladesh. According to reports in the newspapers the cabinet had decided in mid December to freeze the intake of workers from these two countries. It went a step further as it said that even the existing workers from the two countries would not have their work permits renewed and the ban applied to all categories of workers including professionals.

This information would have remained hidden but for the Buddhist monks who told journalists that they were not bring allowed to bring monks from India. On cross check the government officials revealed the cabinet decision.

The  could have been linked to Hindraf, the Hindu activists group which organized recent rallies by Malaysian ethnic Indians. Thousands of ethnic Indians took to the streets late last year to protest against social and economic discrimination by the Malay-Muslim majority.

The news came as a shock. But the Malaysian government had to backtrack in no time. Why? Relations between India and Malaysia have already been hurt by recent allegations of discrimination by the ethnic community. The ban could have further strained relations between the two countries had the statement not been withdrawn. This could have meant serious implications on bilateral economic ties. So the Malaysian government did well to spot the potential of these reports to harm relations.  Home Minister Mohd Radzi Sheikh Ahmad sought to “clear the air” by denying that there was any move to freeze the intake of Indian workers or to cut down the renewal period of work visas for temple priests from India. Although Malaysia would not admit that work visas for temple priests are being treated differently from those for other categories of workers, Mr. Radzi indicated the government’s preference for Malaysian Hindus in any recruitment of temple priests.

For, Malaysia cannot ignore the contribution made by the Indians to its economy. Indians make up about eight percent of the two million registered foreign workers in Malaysia. They are mainly employed in the construction, information technology and financial services and industries.

Bilateral relations between India and Malaysia have flourished over the years, with constructive diplomacy dissolving misunderstandings and allaying misapprehensions on either side. Even when the recent controversy over the treatment of ethnic Indians in Malaysia threatened to sour relations, both governments acted swiftly to calm things down. Malaysia woke up to Indian sensibilities on the issue, and India took care to avoid being chauvinistic.

Yet the Malaysian minister S. Samy Vellu who was in India attending the Sixth Pravasi Bharatiya Divas was cornered by the media following the newsbreak. He however, maintained that there was no truth in the reports emanating from Kuala Lumpur. Vellu’s hurried clarification came hours after international wire services reported that Malaysia, hit by ethnic Indian protests, had banned the recruitment of all workers, professionals included which account for a large group of expatriate workers.

The announcement also took the Indian defence minister A.K. Antony by surprise who was wrapping up his visit to Malaysia. In fact, during his visit the two countries decided to boost their military ties, notwithstanding the recent friction over the protests in Malaysia by Tamils alleging discrimination and the condemnation by Indian politicians of the crackdown on the protesters.

The Indians' share in the national equity basket was steadily declining. "Malaysia has nearly 1.8 million Indians and only 40% of them constitute the middle or upper-middle classes. The rest is blue-collar labour force.

Vallu’s denial was, however contested by other delegates. A report in the Times of India quoted one senior second-generation delegate as saying, “In the real sense, recruitment freeze is a non-issue. Peoples of India origin in Malaysia, down now to 8% of population, are being systematically persecuted and marginalized in several other ways. Vellu, who uses his Indian origin for cosmetic purposes, has actually supervised this discrimination over the years”. The government's main idea, he said, was to give priority to ethnic Malays and Bhumiputras, who constitute 60% of the population with special rights under the constitution, and the Indians suffer under the practice.

The recent statement and the hurried withdrawal, brings out the conflict within the modern Muslim country which the rest of the conservative Muslim world looks up to.

It also brings to fore the constant fight between the Muslim hardliners and the more liberal minded Muslims, the resurgent Islam and the secular constitution which is getting fiercer in a multi-ethnic country where Malays, Indians and Chinese are said to live in harmony with the elections drawing closer.

Where Islam is granted privileges over the other religions and Malays are granted favoritism in the social, political and economic sphere. Economic pains for the working class after heightened expectations have led to a lot of discontent. The recent protests by the Hindu activists calling for greater social justice and accountability also reveal just how much the political landscape has changed.

In such a scenario, non-Muslims or the non-Malays have little room for recourse, the lid of the melting pot may have been tightened by the government but it definitely has not diminished the growing uneasiness and anger, simmering underneath the surface.

Malaysia which has been praised for its pluralistic society, a potpourri of religions but the reluctance to protect the rights of non-Muslims could blow the lid off Malaysia’s melting pot. Are the lines that demarcate the two systems blurring and the country moving towards a more radical version of Islam?

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