Education has now become an economic activity driven by market forces. Here, teachers, students and parents are stakeholders of a large market that have to deliver effectively, said K S Radhakrishnan, Chairperson of the Public Service Commission (PSC). He was speaking at the inauguration of the School Principals’ Convention organised by the See Foundation here on Saturday.
“In the past, education was considered a form of cultural activism guided by moral forces. However, it is no longer applicable as the definition of education has changed. This is the first paradigm shift in the education sector that we have witnessed,” he said while addressing at least a hundred principals who had gathered.
He opined that there has been a considerable change in the way the education sector is viewed, chiefly by parents. “In the past, parents sought good teaching centres where their children could grow morally and culturally. However, teaching centres have been replaced by coaching centres, and teachers by coaches,” he said.
He added that the role of a school principal should be that of an academic leader rather than an academic administrator.
However, he also said that education is currently based on real-life activities, unlike in the past where there was not much connection with practical learning.
Critic M K Sanu, who delivered the presidential address, said that an efficient school principal is most likely to be an isolated individual from the rest of the school, in his duty for his school.
“Being a principal gives you authority, but you must not use your position to curb the freedom of your teachers. Give them a conducive and a creative work atmosphere,” he urged.
He added that in the present scenario, teachers should go the extra mile to educate children on the aesthetic side.
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