Dinesh Kamath's Editorial 'Keep politics away from education' that was published in Newsband

Keep politics away from education

The outcome of the vandalism and violence in Presidency University a few days back has had a significant outcome: it has successfully politicized those that were apolitical, and dramatically polarized politics in an institution of excellence. Indignant and impassioned voices are the marker of a ubiquitous and ever-growing politicization of education.

When Mamata Banerjee's new government came to power, one of the fundamental changes promised was depoliticization of educational institutions. And within that framework, Presidency University was to be a model, an institution which was to be rebuilt as a world-class, national-level, politics-free centre of higher learning. The violence that happened in Presidency however shows the continued politicization of education.

In other words, this attack is something large and very serious. It is a message from a section of the state's political establishment that they lay claim, forcibly, if need be, to all things eminent and prominent. If challenged therein, the very symbols of such eminence and excellence are to be lined up for destruction.

The attack on Presidency and its students was an attack on an institution which has not yet toed the political line. If that same institution aspires to be an institution of excellence, it and other institutions like it must lay down certain rules to the political establishment, just as the political establishment lays down its rules for us. To thrive in excellence it has to be free of the playing out of political processes.

We should learn from the above incident and see to it that politics and religion is not mixed with education.

Our schools, colleges and universities should inculcate the principles for inter caste and religious harmonious relations in our multi religious and caste society.

 Each year, government is spending millions on education nationwide. Free education is provided in many primary and secondary schools. But we are still baffled and unable to distinguish the differences between language and knowledge learning.

The country’s education system suffered from political interferences, caste quota syndrome as well as other trivial and mundane preoccupations — even in the higher learning institutions where innovation and intellectual freedom are the most fundamental essence of education.

The discussion on education system should be limited to the discourse of knowledge  as any intention to interfere it with politics or religion would further complicate an already complex issue. If the discussion on the education system cannot maintain its pure objective, the role of education in contributing to the harmony and solidity of a society might be jeopardized.

Education should be limited to knowledge and should not involve politics and religion. We should refrain from raising the issue of politics or religion or any other issues except education in its pure sense.

The country’s malleable young should be taught to recognize the multi-cultural origins of the various ethnic groups, appreciate each other’s religion and show respect and understanding for one another.

If our education system does not inculcate these attitudes in our students, it will only tend to polarize us. Getting a string of academic A’s is meaningless if the students fail to understand, appreciate and practice good moral values.

Hence to maintain a harmonious and stable society keep politics away from education.