‘Potato Sack’; Lawmaking Frenzy; Examining Exams
Opinion Watch
Potato Sack
Dailies have taken grim views on BRICS approving induction of six new members from early next year, with The Indian Express in its Editorial warning that the group may become sacks of potatoes. The Times of India too in its comment has spotlight Russia and China turning BRICS into a platform to peddle anti-West rhetoric. New members to be inducted are Argentina, the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Ethiopia, Iran and Egypt. The dailies have argued that some of the new entrants have cordial ties with the US, and thus Russia and China may not make use of them in the forum.
The world aspires for multilateralism, but none of the highly talked about groups could do anything to bring peace in hotspots. BRICS, indeed, has a massive economic weight, and its relevance should rest there only, as lensing it to find its strategic heft may only busy a talking shop.
Lawmaking Frenzy
The Asian Age has in its Editorial faulted Narendra Modi-led NDA government for lawmaking frenzy, accusing the Centre of not doing homework, while illustrating with the instances of demonetisation and the Goods and Services Tax. “A repeat show with respect to criminal laws would be calamitous. The Union government appears in no mood to listen to such voices. The parliamentary standing committee on home which is expected to study the drafts and report to Parliament started its meeting on this bill on Thursday despite a plea by Opposition members that they had a very short notice on the meeting and needed more time to study before attending the parleys,” added the New Delhi-based daily.
The excessive lawmaking by the Modi government is the reality of the day. It’s also true that the Modi government has a habit of rushing to parliament to amend the same bills passed in hurry.
Examining Exams
The Tribune in its Editorial has welcomed New Curriculum Framework (NCF), saying that it seeks to fill gaps observed in the school education system over the years and align with good global practices. “Among the glaring shortcomings in our current framework of assessment of the students’ capabilities and capacities is the fact that it promotes rote learning. The other constraint is that it is based entirely on their performance in the annual examinations rather than on their holistic development and progress,” opined the Chandigarh-based daily, adding that “the conduct of board examinations twice a year and the students opting for the better score holds significant value”.
There are several bureaucrats serving the country for years by memorizing answers of Pali and other languages. They can never think of reforms, as education system in India rots year after year while coaching businesses flourish. Why could the schools not standardize the practical works free of copying into the overall performance metrics of students?
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