Editorial 1 : Thank you, teachers
Context: Teachers Day 2024
Introduction: In India teachers are sacrosanct with guru-shishya relationship been one of the defining features of our quest for knowledge and excellence for ages.
Historical perspective
- Teachers occupied a central and revered position throughout India’s history. From ancient times, teachers in India established a deep and abiding tradition of handholding, mentoring, and inspiring students in their pursuit of knowledge.
- Swami Vivekananda once said, “Education is the manifestation of the perfection already in man.” This belief emphasises the idea that teachers do not merely impart knowledge; they awaken the latent greatness within each student, steering them towards self-realisation and enlightenment.
Impact of a teacher
- The impact of a teacher is immeasurable.
- A teacher exercises subtle and profound influence on his/her students’ lives.
- Teachers shape the minds, hearts and souls of the students, instilling values, ethics, and a sense of purpose that endures long after their formal learning years.
National Education policy (NEP)
- National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, recognises teachers as transformers, emphasising their crucial role in shaping children’s futures as well as the nation.
- It introduces profound changes in teaching, learning, and educational administration.
- It places a strong emphasis on teachers’ training and development.
Role of teachers in 21st century
- The role of teachers has become very crucial in the rapidly evolving landscape of the 21st century.
- Teachers are called upon to focus on the holistic development of students ensuring their social, emotional, physical, and cognitive well-being which is an onerous responsibility.
- We need educators who can steer us away from social prejudices and stereotypes and lead us onto a path driven by new technology, progressive ideas and constitutional values.
Capacity Building of Teachers
- Government has launched an integrated teacher-training programme NISHTHA at all levels for the teachers in school education and the Malaviya Mission Teacher Training Programme at higher education level to improve the capacity of teachers.
Today’s Scenario
- Competition in educational pursuits has become necessary but an overemphasis on it is counter-productive.
- Teachers can well guide their students to follow the tenets of healthy competition and avoid any kind of temptations and allurements.
- It is the responsibility of teachers to instil in students not just academic excellence but also strength of character, ethics, perseverance, passion, and motivation. These qualities will help students navigate the broader challenges of life.
Significance and Relevance of Guru-Shishya tradition
- In today’s world, where commercialisation often threatens the purity of education, we must be cognisant of the inherent strength of the guru-shishya parampara.
- This ancient tradition of mutual trust and respect between teacher and student has evolved over time, but its essence remains the same even today.
- New educational practices can and should blend with these timeless values to create a harmonious and effective learning environment.
Conclusion
- Today, as we celebrate Teachers’ Day on the birth anniversary of Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan, we are reminded of the profound contributions of our teachers towards nation-building.
- Teachers, through their own lives and examples, teach us the most valuable lessons that go beyond the classroom and shape who we are as individuals.
- The task of realising the vision of a Viksit Bharat greatly hinges on the shoulders of our teachers.
Editorial 2 : An upward tick
Context: World Bank raises India’s growth forecast
Introduction: The World Bank has raised its forecast for the Indian economy in its latest update, pegging growth at 7% this year, up from its earlier expectation of 6.6%.
The growth estimate
- World Bank’s estimate is in line with assessments by other agencies.
- In the July update of the World Economic Outlook, the International Monetary Fund had revised upwards its assessment to 7%.
- Asian Development Bank has projected growth at 7%.
- RBI has pegged growth to be marginally higher at 7.2%.
- There is reason to be optimistic about the country’s medium-term prospects.
- World Bank expects growth to average 6.7% over 2025-27.
- IMF expects growth to be around 6.5% over the next few years.
Segment wise expectations
- World Bank expects private consumption to pick up as rural incomes bounce back.
- Consumption grew at 7.4% in the first quarter after growing at 4% last year.
- A good monsoon after last year’s El Nino induced deficient rainfall season and the heatwave should help spur farm output, and as a consequence lift rural incomes and demand.
- It expects a slight deceleration in investment growth, reflecting slower growth of government capital expenditure.
Challenges on the export front
- World Bank report highlights that India has not been able to take advantage of the export space being vacated by China in low-skill manufacturing.
- Bangladesh and Vietnam has been the primary beneficiaries of China’s shrinking market share. Both countries have a larger share in exports of apparel, leather, textiles, and footwear. Others that have benefited from China’s loss in global exports are Poland, Germany and France.
Underlying Problems
- High tariff and non-tariff barriers
- India’s average tariff (most favoured nation) has risen over the past decade, and is higher than most of its competitors.
- Unemployment
- Exports of manufacturing and services have become more skill intensive, the report estimates that both direct and indirect employment related to exports has fallen.
Way Forward
- The steps towards protectionism need to be reversed, tariff and non-tariff barriers need to be reduced.
- Government should work towards entering into more free trade agreements, and seek deeper integration with global value chains.