17 July 2024 : The Hindu Editorial Analysis

1. Centralised examinations have not aced the test

(Source – The Hindu, International Edition – Page No. – 8)

Topic: GS2 – Governance – Government Policies – Issues arising out of their design & implementation.

Context

The National Testing Agency (NTA) was established in 2017 by the Indian government to conduct electronic mode entrance examinations for professional courses. Despite its mandate, operational challenges, including recent controversies over examination integrity, have sparked calls for reforms and decentralised testing mechanisms across India’s educational landscape.

Introduction to NTA and Its Challenges

The National Testing Agency (NTA), established by the Government of India in 2017, was envisioned to conduct multiple-choice question (MCQ) type examinations electronically for various professional courses. However, despite its mandate, the NTA faces significant challenges in implementing its objectives effectively.

• The NTA conducts over 15 entrance examinations, including the Common University Entrance Test (CUET) and NEET-UG, but most operations are outsourced due to its lean structure.
• It lacks the necessary internal expertise in testing methodologies and organisational capabilities to meet its intended goals, leading to operational shortcomings and a lack of trust.

Issues with Current Examination Practices

• Contrary to its electronic mode vision, the NTA conducts many exams in pen-and-paper format, increasing the risk of malpractice from question setting to distribution across 4,750 examination centres.
• Recent incidents, such as the NEET-UG fiasco involving leaked papers and irregular grace mark allocations, have severely undermined public confidence in the NTA’s fairness and competence.

Governance and Oversight Concerns

• The leadership, comprising a chairman and a chief executive officer from the Indian Administrative Service (IAS), lacks specialised competence in building and managing an institution dedicated to advanced testing methodologies.

Steps Taken and Current Challenges

• Following the NEET-UG controversy, a high-level committee chaired by a former Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) chairman has been constituted to review and reform examination processes.
• The committee’s mandate includes improving data security, enhancing examination robustness, and defining roles and responsibilities within the NTA.

Proposal for Decentralization of Examination Processes

• Given the failures of centralised testing mechanisms, there is a growing call to decentralise the process, allowing states to conduct their own entrance exams while maintaining standardised templates set by the central government.
• This approach aims to reduce risks associated with centralised testing, such as widespread cheating and paper leaks, by incorporating domain experts and implementing stringent IT measures.

Impact on Schooling System and Coaching Culture

• The dominance of national-level entrance exams has diminished the relevance of school-leaving examinations, leading to a proliferation of coaching centres focused solely on exam preparation.
• This trend has eroded the quality and integrity of the school education system, emphasising rote learning and exam-oriented preparation over holistic learning and character building.

Urgent Need for Reforms and Conclusion

• To address these challenges, there is a pressing need to rejuvenate the school education system by reintegrating school-leaving marks into entrance exam criteria, as previously done for entrance exams to Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs).
• Failure to safeguard merit based on solid school education foundations will perpetuate the decline of educational standards and values critical for future academic and professional success.

Conclusion

• While the NTA was established with noble intentions to streamline entrance exams and ensure fair access to professional education, its operational failures have highlighted systemic issues in governance, testing integrity, and the broader impact on India’s education system.
• Moving forward, robust reforms, including decentralisation and revitalization of school education, are crucial to restoring trust and ensuring equitable access to quality higher education in India

Practice Question:  Discuss the challenges and implications of centralised testing mechanisms in India’s higher education system, with a focus on recent controversies surrounding the National Testing Agency (NTA). (250 Words /15 marks)

2. Heatwaves are evaporating the right to play

(Source – The Hindu, International Edition – Page No. – 8)

Topic: GS3 –  Environment –  Environmental pollution and  degradation.

Context

The article discusses the universal importance of play for children’s development, underscored by international agreements and recent initiatives like the International Day of Play. It highlights challenges such as socio-economic disparities in access to play and the exacerbating effects of climate change, particularly heatwaves, on outdoor play opportunities in India.

Overview of Play as a Universal Right

• Play is universally recognized as crucial for children’s social connections, physical and mental health, and creativity, as per UNICEF.
• Article 31 of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child enshrines the right to play, highlighting its significance for child development.
• The United Nations designated June 11, 2024, as International Day of Play to emphasise its importance globally.

Challenges to Children’s Right to Play

• According to the ‘Value of Play’ report by The Real Play Coalition, globally, one in five children lacks time for play, and one in ten lacks outdoor play opportunities.
• In India, access to leisure and public play spaces is influenced by socio-economic disparities, caste, class, disability, and gender.
• Climate change exacerbates these barriers, with extreme weather events such as heatwaves limiting outdoor playtime.

Impact of Climate Change on Play

• India ranks 26th globally in UNICEF’s Children’s Climate Risk Index, highlighting high climate risks for children.
• Heatwaves, floods, and droughts increasingly impact children’s ability to play outdoors safely.
• Extreme temperatures during heatwaves have led to school closures and restricted outdoor activities, posing health risks and impacting children’s development.

Inequities in Play Opportunities

• Disadvantaged children face disproportionate challenges in accessing safe play spaces due to urbanisation and environmental degradation.
• Lack of playgrounds in low-income communities limits physical and cognitive development, perpetuating inequalities and affecting long-term economic outcomes.

Adaptive Measures and Solutions

• Implementing bioclimatic design principles in playground infrastructure and urban planning can mitigate heat effects and provide safe play environments.
• Expanding access to existing green spaces and adjusting park opening times can increase play opportunities for children, addressing community conflicts and socio-economic barriers.
• Integrating passive heating and cooling methods in urban planning can enhance local climate resilience and support children’s well-being.

Empowerment and Advocacy

• Empowering children to engage in environmental initiatives and advocacy roles can enhance their understanding of climate issues and foster active participation.
• Local initiatives like carbon-neutral panchayats in Kerala demonstrate promising models for children’s involvement in climate action.

Conclusion

• Recognizing and addressing the impact of climate change on children’s right to play is crucial for their holistic development and future preparedness.
• By promoting inclusive play environments and empowering children as advocates, societies can ensure resilience and readiness in tackling future challenges effectively.

Practice Question:  Discuss the significance of play in child development, considering its universal relevance and the challenges posed by socio-economic disparities and climate change in ensuring children’s access to play opportunities. (150 Words /10 marks)

3. Trying juveniles as adults is not the answer

(Source – The Hindu, International Edition – Page No. – 9)

Topic: GS2 – Indian Polity – Judiciary

Context

The case in Pune, where a speeding teenager caused fatalities, highlighted debates on juvenile justice.The Juvenile Justice Act aims to rehabilitate rather than punish young offenders. International practices like victim impact panels emphasise accountability and victim-centric justice, contrasting with traditional punitive approaches.

Overview of the Juvenile Justice System and Recent Case

• In Pune, a speeding car allegedly driven by a teenager tragically killed two techies. According to the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015, the adolescent faced initial proceedings at the Juvenile Justice Board (JJB) and was granted bail under perceived leniency, sparking public outrage.

Juvenile Justice Act and Bail Controversy

• The Juvenile Justice Act is aimed at rehabilitating juvenile offenders rather than punishing them.
• It allows for adolescents above 16 accused of “heinous” offences to be tried as adults but excludes offences like culpable homicide that lack a minimum seven-year sentence from this category.
• The JJB conducts an assessment to determine adult trial suitability, considering adolescence’s developmental immaturity and potential for rehabilitation.

Balancing Accountability and Rehabilitation

• The juvenile justice system emphasises rehabilitation over punishment, aligning with developmental psychology and international standards.
• The system mandates multidisciplinary responses tailored to individual circumstances, including therapy and rehabilitation plans focused on socio-economic factors and crime specifics.

Innovative Approaches and Victim-Centric Justice

• Internationally, approaches like victim impact panels (VIPs) in the U.S. and Indonesia involve offenders facing victims’ families, promoting accountability and reducing recidivism.
• These practices prioritise victims’ needs, enabling compensation, apologies, and offender accountability in contrast to traditional penal approaches.

Challenges and Systemic Issues

• Despite its rehabilitative focus, the juvenile justice system faces criticism for perceived leniency and sporadic implementation.
• Issues lie in systemic shortcomings rather than inherent flaws, necessitating improved implementation of rehabilitative principles.

Conclusion

• The juvenile justice system strives to balance accountability and rehabilitation, acknowledging adolescence’s developmental stage.
• Innovative practices globally enhance victim involvement and offender accountability, offering potential for transformative justice.

Juvenile Justice Act (JJ Act) 2015:

Legislative Background: Replaced the Juvenile Justice Act, 2000, and aimed to address issues arising from juvenile delinquency, particularly in cases of heinous offences committed by juveniles aged 16 to 18. Trial of Juveniles: Allowed for juveniles in the 16-18 age group to be tried as adults for serious offences, based on the discretion of the Juvenile Justice Board. Adoption Provisions: Repealed the Hindu Adoptions and Maintenance Act, 1956, and the Guardians and Wards Act, 1890, streamlining adoption procedures under the Central Adoption Resource Authority (CARA). Child Care Institutions (CCIs): Mandated registration of all CCIs under the Act, ensuring standards for care and protection of children. Foster Care: Introduced provisions for foster care, enhancing alternative care options for vulnerable children. Special Courts: Established Children’s Courts to handle cases of juveniles accused of heinous crimes, ensuring a specialised approach to their legal proceedings. Offences: Classified offences under the Act into cognizable and non-cognizable categories, delineating procedures for police investigation and legal proceedings accordingly. Implementation: Enforced stringent measures to safeguard the rights and well-being of children, addressing gaps identified in previous legislation.

Practice Question:  Discuss the role of the Juvenile Justice Act in balancing rehabilitation and accountability for adolescent offenders, citing international practices like victim impact panels. How can such approaches contribute to transformative justice in cases involving juvenile offenders? (250 Words /15 marks)