Façade, not education
submitted 6 months 17 days 9 hours ago by: irfanzafar : 18 comments
A few days ago, a student at the Lahore University of Management Sciences (LUMS) committed suicide following separation from the programme.
There seems to be an inherent flaw in our education system where the quality of education is judged by the number of students failed and the amount of stress put on the students, especially through workloads and deadlines that are difficult to meet. The standards of education at Oxford, MIT and Stanford etc. are much higher than our universities. However, the maximum attention at these reputed centres of learning is given to the quality of education, research and a rich curriculum instead of creating a façade where people are made to believe in really high standards that are in reality devoid of any real educational value. University administrations such as those of LUMS need to re-evaluate their academic direction.
Islamabad
Daily Times (7th of May, 2008)
Dr. Irfan Zafar
irfanzafar@msn.com
Comments
Dr. saab! You have taken my words............i was thinking of writing on this sad news. You might have watched "Aaj Kamran Khan k Sath" in which he invited the administration of LUMS to comment on it. And they have nothing to explain. Kamran highlighted facilities provided to the students, strict course line, evaluation. etc etc. They were still of the view that he has committed suicide for personal reasons. And there is a big question mark onprofound student counseling in LUMS.
It is good to have course lines of Oxford, MIT and Stanford but it should be kept in mind how much our kids are ready to take it. Our culture and environment are totally different. It is the rule of policy implication that you should modify the policy (course line) according to your circumstances.
How much it is sad that we are succeeding in adopting and applying foreign education system in our universities but we do not know how to prepare our students for this. And we also dont know how much this change would have psychological impact on kids' mind.
It was a cowardly act of the student, reflects at his incapability to deal with things. LUMS is not to be blamed.
Educational standards should be at par with the international ones especially if the ultimate product being churned out there is better than the one here.
Yeah, i agree with Iola...perhaps LUMS should test potential students with psychometric exams first...
If you want Educational standards as per the international level, than you should have to prepare them from the begining, not that make them over burdened in higher studies only. The whole system is needed to be changed according to international standards from play group to PhD level.
No doubt about that but we don't lag that far behind whether it is the private stream or the public one. The approach and teaching methodologies are different and no real learning objectives have been set. That is what is wrong.
Find nothing wrong with LUMS. They produce great graduates. Their teaching approach is just as fine.
Who will commit or not commit suicide is v v hard to judge. No psychometric examination is going to help there.
Iola and Hawa...........i dont agree with you both...
Many students dream of getting into LUMS and IBA as both of these institutes are considered as top business schools of Pakistan followed by others.
Its a matter of great pride for students and their parents to get associated with LUMS or IBA.
People think that if they clear the aptitude test then they later on they will be successful in completing the degree. The real story starts when one starts studying and taking the course load.
I am not sure abt the Lums aptitude test. But IBA's aptitude test is also a stress test. I have seen many gramarians with excellent comminication skills and good maths, failing the aptitude test. I have an example to quote, that a person from a very remote village town in Punjab named bakhar cleared the test and then served in various multinationals.
There is always a minimum GPA requirement which one has to meet. If he/she fails then they are kept on watch for another semester, if they fall below the minimum GPA...then they are asked to leave.
We dont know why this person suicide...the circumstances are best known to Allah and that person..I think we should not target him or call him a coward.....
You guys do read the news paper.....every day people commits suicide.....do we have to conduct psychometric examination of all the people......yesterday a news came in Dawn that the villagers in Indian Punjab are commiting suicide becaue they are un-able to pay their debts.
I agree suicide is not the solution of problems.....I feel that people who commit suicide are brave.......we dont have guts to fire a bullet on ourself. even on or arm or thigh just to chek the pain....
Coming back to the point........from the very begining our parents and teachers emphaised on getting more marks.......weaker students had to face too many comments...from parents, teachers and students...
Our education system needs to be overhauled.we foucs on to memorise whatever is written and taught..research is totally ignored.....this is the main reason that the thought process and problem solving skills are left behind......
Problem solving skills are taught in BBA and MBA programs....sorry to say in many business schools the emphaise is also to memorise things......
The education system needs to be overhauled..........
As far as the person who commits suicide............Suicide is haram in Islam....and it is said that the person who commits suicide will continue to do this act till the day of judgement.....he will be reborn and will kill himself again the way he did for the first time.....
Still I pray to GOD to have mercy on him.....and rest his soul in peace....Ameen
Dammit! I am not your sister. Stop saying that!
Forgive him, he has recently come under the influence of some padri. In this phase every man is a brother and every woman a sister. He will see the light soon enough
I will eventually but let me abhor it for some more time!
I will eventually but let me detest it for some more time! Feel repugnant
and you two also need to get a grip...
Like the one in the movies?
:( Danto to nahee atleast.
Is that your last wish?
which 1?
I was giving u respect? sorry u didnt liked it.
Are the first two really questions?
In this blog of education- a facade, this sister thing is just as much of a facade.
Apology accepted!
haha...i m glad the men around here do not mind my saying "bhayi"
A good school is supposed to help student - not help them commit suicide. This Pakages monster has grown too big. Downsize it!