Letter to Editor June 2006

Crumbling curricula (www.khaleejtimes.com)
27 June 2006

• AS I read the top story on children sliding into depression (KT, June 25), I wasn’t in the least surprised because we already have curricula to orchestrate this kind of stressful development.Unless we make a real effort to revamp educational systems, even parents must live on the edge.Excessive focus on academics as against declining moral conditioning is to blame.Teachers must complete huge portions in too little time, students need to constantly perform and ‘prove’ and parents share in the anxiety. Children need schooling to develop as whole individuals who can contribute their share to the world.Somewhere along the way, however, we have lost the whole concept, triggering a crazy rat race. Children should enjoy going to school and only when such a day arrives will education triumph.
  — Ahsan Ghori, Abu Dhabi

Quota system in Indian varsities
6 June 2006

• MANY articles about reservations in Indian universities have been printed in newspapers, and captured the attention of layman. I am for reservation because it has a humanitarian idea of bringing inequality towards equality. I believe affirmative action is required if we need to uplift the weaker sections of society. Reservations should start at the base level so that there is ample time to mould the individual to compete at a higher levels, and in that way, efficiency and merit is not compromised.We have to give chance to the weaker members of society. To do that, the best way is go to the roots and try to make it stronger, so that the tree is strong to withstand the storms of life. So in toto, a common goal to bring equality should be the motto of humanity.
  — Ahsan Ghori, Abu Dhabi