Colonial rule significantly influenced India’s education system, focusing on rote learning and diminishing the culture of critical thinking. Governor R.N. Ravi underscored this during the inaugural address of the Association of Indian Universities (AIU) South Zone Vice-Chancellors’ conference held at the VIT campus.
Governor Ravi explained how the British designed the education system to suppress critical thinking and promote rote learning. This approach served their intent to control Indian youth, turning them into compliant workers rather than innovative thinkers.
The Colonial Legacy: Memorization Over Practical Learning
Highlighting the colonial influence, Governor Ravi stated that the British destroyed India’s traditional education methods, which had fostered critical thinking and intellectual exploration. By prioritizing the memorization of facts and figures, they systematically dismantled an educational heritage that emphasized holistic and practical learning.
“The rote learning system enabled the British to train youth to fulfill tasks aligned with colonial interests. This approach, however, stifled creativity and independent thought among Indians,” said Mr. Ravi.
National Education Policy: A Shift Towards Tradition
The Governor praised the National Education Policy (NEP) for its focus on reviving traditional methods of learning. He emphasized that students should be encouraged to think critically, moving beyond being “bookworms.” The NEP aims to reintroduce educational practices that prioritize inquiry and intellectual engagement, countering the damage wrought by colonial methods.
Education: State-Controlled or State-Patronized?
Addressing concerns raised by VIT Chancellor G. Viswanathan about the current education system being state-controlled, Mr. Ravi clarified that India’s educational institutions have historically been state-patronized rather than state-controlled.
He cited the example of Nalanda University, which thrived on revenue generated by nearby villages rather than direct state control. This model of autonomy, supported by state patronage, allowed institutions to flourish independently while contributing to intellectual and societal development.
Research and Innovation: A Need for Increased Focus
Governor Ravi also highlighted India’s lagging performance in research and innovation, particularly in securing intellectual property rights. While countries like China and the U.S. dominate patent registrations globally, India achieves only 1%-2% annual growth.
“India must prioritize research by allocating more government funding, especially for intellectual property rights,” he stated. Increased investment in research would foster innovation, particularly in higher education institutions.
Insights from the AIU Conference
The two-day AIU conference brought together around 100 Vice-Chancellors to deliberate on themes such as “Rethinking Assessment and Evaluation.” The event featured discussions on enhancing education quality and aligning it with global standards.
Governor Ravi also released a special issue of AIU’s weekly University News. AIU President Professor Vinay Kumar Pathak, Secretary General Pankaj Mittal, and VIT Vice Presidents Sankar Viswanathan and Sekar Viswanathan were among the dignitaries present.
