Use student surveys to drive reforms in education policy

‘Use student surveys to drive reforms in education policy’

The Indian education system has been built over time to serve a very specific purpose, imparting knowledge to students and gauging their knowledge base with conventional forms of assessment. It is true that the traditional model has adequately met expectations, but it has in many ways failed to keep up with the current educational climate.

Many elements that are considered crucial to maintain a good learning environment for students have been largely ignored, leading to a high-stress, overburdening education system that has given little importance to the conditions under which students learn.

The educational scenario is further impacted by the lack of new-age education reforms by the government and the inability of educational institutions to adopt dynamic education models that take a holistic approach to education.

Measuring student satisfaction is the first step towards reforming the system.

Every scholar, educator and industry expert agrees that the education industry does have its limitations, lacking in many crucial areas vital for overall student development. The question that arises now is how do we go about changing this outdated system and what can replace the current methods.

We first need the data which can be used to create a blueprint for change. To acquire this data we must go to the heart of the education fraternity. We need to get feedback from students. Scholars and experts can use this information acquired from students and re-structure the apparatus to build a high-functioning system.

Student satisfaction is an excellent foundation from which we can begin this endeavour of creating a better and more efficient education system. While keeping student satisfaction as the yardstick, educators and policymakers can bring in new practices that can breathe life into an ageing system.

An evaluation method can be introduced that uses a new tools to measure various dimensions of student satisfaction at an institutional level that covers different aspects of student life. It can be gauged through different parameters like learning experience, extracurricular activities, life on campus, and student happiness quotient among many others.

Map out a bright future for your institution and a happy one for your students. A detailed analysis report will contain data that will indicate the overall performance of the institution and student satisfaction.

Collaborations between educators and industry experts to analyse student satisfaction could prove to be very beneficial to the entire education fraternity. ADVENT OF EDUCATORS AND EDUPRENEURS The decision by many universities to step out of the fray and seek new strategies to improve the overall learning experience for students has come as a breath of fresh air.

It has changed the educational landscape drastically by bringing in new ways of student assessment and changed longheld views about the concept of a good education.

Many educational institutions are changing the norm by working with industry experts in creating new, transparent platforms that focus on student satisfaction.

It has finally given students an opportunity to be a part of the change they always wanted to see in the education sector.

The collaboration between educators and education entrepreneurs has the potential to dismantle the outdated education system, and re-build the foundation for a new one, brick by brick. Using the data given by students as the source code, the duo is working towards creating a better system.

Source | Hindustan Times | 2nd January 2019