Higher Educational Institutions of our Past and the Future

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When Institutions that are trying to break free from the past. They also re-enforce the same value system to claim legitimacy in their present. What are the consequences? 

‘Why are students given deadlines in classrooms when choosing disciplines for attending a classroom? I was given a list of subjects to choose from, and among them I had to choose a few within a stipulated time. Luckily enough I got all which I chose. After a month, I requested to be added in the classroom. Having missed the deadline, I felt shame when I didn't receive the answer to my request on first go for many days. At first, I thought I made a mistake. After I pressed the button second time, I received a reply. It gave me a world of knowledge to ask some new questions. This also got me thinking the same question I asked in my undergraduate college. Unable to skip streams after first year of education, I was told to start afresh in the application process and waste a year. I'm investigating the mind of institutions, especially in higher education since then.’

Assuming that every soul makes the best decision in a given time. The institutions that offer a second lease to life, a chance to grow in multiple directions, a meaningful experience to learn would not have existed. The argument for cross-disciplinary Master’s degree of a student at a later stage of her life wouldn't stick during the SOP process in a reputed University. Arbitrariness of a deadline could go to any length. Some questions that can be asked for Ex: Why didn't she choose 'better' when she was 21? (Hence refusing the admission itself) Why do masters twice? Why become an economist after studying Physics? (Hence refusing the admission again) Where is the boundary? Who gets to decide? Based on what justifications?

It is self-evident that the best education is attained with agile systems. When institutions have deadlines to sign up for signing up for classrooms, what value do they espouse to begin with? It is a natural right of every student in an institutions to attain her highest potential by virtue of existence in that institution. While most institutions functions on the norms of efficiency, educational institutions could be omitted from that paradigm.

It could be that efficiency of institutions and fairness on the part students have a deep value rooted in professionalism. Should professionalism be shown at such pivotal moments itself?

Let's look at it on the part of the students. If it is fair to set a deadline for choosing a subject of their choice, then what is the value system of the students? Learning each value system is easily organised by polling system on zoom town halls. Is each student capable of making the best choice as per limited information in that duration? If not then doesn't the institution need a re-look at its value system?

 In Universities where culture building is one of the objectives and creating a diverse space for learning is the goal, assuming that all systems can work with time based singularity is not okay. Is there an argument for a few more cultures that don't rest on temporality? Whether it is unfair or fair, it is in the hands of the institutions to decide. What is the message put out if the institutions are compelled to function within limitations of time? What is the principle in higher education you end up creating for the next generation?

Should the student be stopped from sitting in the classroom because they filled in the application late? If she is stopped, are we truly democratic? Does it build agility in the system? Is the system flexible enough? World-class education needs infusion of modernity, then is it modern enough?

In old days when applications were sent through post, having a deadline would make sense. They would say, "Please send in your letters by post on so and so date and sign up". Signaling that the student must prepare a month in advance for the snail mail to reach its destination. The telephones existed with a privileged few. Communication wasn't available at a click. Today, we have email and technology. Applications that work as assistants. The last minute addition of a student to the classroom shouldn't be an issue.

If a student isn't allowed to sit for a classroom when the teacher has no issue, doesn't the system itself become more bureaucratic and rigid in the modern era? When we are trying to change paradigms, the inherited process is sending a different signal. What is the future of modern educational institutions?

Is there a problem in Design or by Design?

 

PS: This is an evolving thought, more dialogue to follow. This is an issue we can look into. This is a conversation we have not begun.

 

 

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