Tuesday, October 31, 2006

India's First Education Portal...at Last!!!

Too late or too early -- its best left for debate. The Indian government has finally got an educational portal "Sakshat" in shape. The portal was launched by President Abdul Kalam on Monday.

Being a researcher certain issues concern me. Its news to me that the content for the portal is being developed by UGC, AICTE, IGNOU, NCERT, KVS, NVS, CBSE, IITs and IISc. While names like IITs, IISc and UGC evoke respect, others such as IGNOU are better ignored. Consider the facts. For several years now the university has not been able to update its distance learning course material for subjects such as Journalism. And this is not due to lack of will; rather the infighting for supremacy between hoardes of self-proclaimed intellectuals who incessantly hover around flaunting their political reach and prowess.

Back in the year 2000, as a researcher for DD-GyanDarshan, I experienced the intellectual potential and capability of IGNOU. I was a researcher who already knew his findings before conducting the research. It was then that I predicted an early death for DD-GyanDarshan. And I was correct. The educational channel today moves in a crippling pace inviting very little attention. Perhaps the only audience left for it are the ones who create the programs. Nevertheless the channel serves as a potential money-vending medium for a sizeable chunk of so-called TV professionals who would not be bought even free by any of these private channels. Today, the news of the innauguration of the educational portal evokes concern because I am worried whether it is another medium poised for an early death?