Dec
19
Amartya Sen: Unions can improve public education, healthcare
Filed Under Public Interest, Social Issues
Nobel Laureate Amartya Sen, speaking at a seminar titled ‘Right to Education – Actions Now’ in New Delhi today, came up with an interesting thought on how to address the issue of poor primary education in India. His suggestion: involve the unions of teachers working in the public education system.
Now this did sound a bit of a surprising statement, especially as the event was organized by the Confederation of Indian Industry and the audience comprised some of the who’s who of Indian business. What was Dr. Sen’s reasoning? This is what he said, and I would tend to agree with him:
1. There is a need for a constructive public–private partnership here. Unions have to be respected, they have to be given responsibility and made to be a part of a better delivery system. Example: A modest appeal to the union of primary teachers in West Bengal got a positive response and it showed in an improved work culture. One could not call this something substantial, but definitely a start was made and more could follow with similar efforts.
2. Unions are usually treated in one of the following two ways: (a) Critics bash them, believing the lesser of them the better OR (b) They are doing just fine, leave them alone and maintain stats quo. In both cases, they are being seen as entities whose only agenda is to look after the interests of their members. But they can play a much more important role, if only industry and other stakeholders get them more involved.
Dr. Sen added that the same effort could apply to the public healthcare system in India, also largely a failure. He concluded with some strong words: No country, including USA, UK, Japan, Germany and all other developed countries, have educated their entire population through private education. Public schools are a must, just like a public healthcare system. And India has to strengthen these if it is to make progress.
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3 Responses to “Amartya Sen: Unions can improve public education, healthcare”
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We have traditionally had a strong system of public education in the U.S. at every level. But in the past 25 years or so, that system is fraying and splintering at the elementary and secondary school levels (although public universities — as well as private ones — continue to be excellent.)
I am not sure if anyone in the U.S., however, including a pro-labor Democrat like me, would seriously propose enlisting the teachers’ unions to improve education in this country. Here we mostly regard them as just another one of those hopelessly self-interested interest groups which fight tooth and nail to defend the status quo. American schools could greatly bebefit by hiring scientists, engineers, and other talented professionals who’ve left their fields (or who want to take a break) as teachers, yet the teachers’ unions vehemently oppose such proposals, as our schools fall further behind. Very sad.
The reservation issue is partly because of the paucity of good educational institutions. They should be good quality institutions whether from private or public. One should also ponder whether or not the education system is outdated and still knowledge based instead of talent and invdividual based and caters to the learning style of all kinds of people-
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The wisdom being imparted by Respected Amartya Sen is being lost in the din of Intellectually Corrupt system at present. I strongly believe that Dr Amartya Sen should live in DELHI and daily invite the concerned countrymen to join him in prayers at Rajghat where he may launch a movement for Promotion of Ethical Values. I am sure he would be more useful to the Society in this way and many like me would stand with him.