Page 12 - EW May 2025

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education, make the EW-Launchpad where India has considerable room
Rankings 2025 globally unique. Next for improvement. For instance, NEP
year you could consider another 2020 aims to address education dis-
parameter which I believe is of enor- parities, yet implementation hurdles
mous significance for undergraduate persist, particularly in rural areas.
education — space and importance Admittedly, embracing technology
accorded to national-level sports and like AI in education offers opportuni-
games (basketball, rugby, football), ties to enhance learning experiences.
and literary and cultural activities in However, without equitable access,
colleges. these innovations may exacerbate
Colleges generate demand and be- existing inequalities.
come popular because they provide a Rather than viewing the WHR as
plethora of sports/games and other a critique, we should welcome it as
co-curricular activities. Think it over. a mirror, reflecting areas needing
Dr. A.S. Seetharamu attention. Constructive engagement
BENGALURU can guide policy reforms to improve
APRIL 2025 citizens’ quality of life.
Manoj Kumar
Critical issue DELHI
Widen ambit RAHUL MEHRA’S Teacher-2-Teach-
CONGRATULATIONS TO Educa- er essay ‘Improving PE & Well-being
tionWorld for publishing yet another Education’ (EW April) is insightful Education indifference
enriching rankings of India’s best and underscores the critical role I AM not at all surprised to read in
universities (EW April). of physical education in infusing your Education News (EW April)
In this momentous issue I also lifelong healthy habits in children. about the Karnataka government’s
noticed the inclusion of league tables This has also been emphasized by proposal to shut down nine state
ranking America’s best colleges and the National Education Policy 2020, government universities. This ex-
universities. Unlike earlier, given which mandates integration of health poses the state’s demagoguery and
President Donald Trump stridently education and life skills into school indifference to education.
anti-immigration prejudice, these curricula. Social media is buzzing with com-
are challenging times for Indian stu- I agree with Mehra that educators ments on the day-to-day struggles
dents. With threats of deportation, urgently need to incorporate health confronting youth of this country.
lack of visa support, and job insecu- education/well-being into their Clearly, Karnataka’s Congress gov-
rity hanging over foreign students, teaching practices. This progressive ernment has no intention of address-
the situation in the US has become approach is essential for addressing ing the problems of the aam aadmi.
uncertain. the challenges confronting students Ganesh Acharya
Increasingly Indian students are in today’s rapidly changing world. MANGALURU
looking beyond the US for higher Chintan Raj
education. Perhaps next time, you MUMBAI
should widen your ambit to rank uni- Address ragging
versities in other foreign countries. YOUR LATEST Education Notes
Shubha Chatterjee Don’t ignore WHR 2025 (EW April) on the expulsion of stu-
KOLKATA THANKS FOR your editorial ‘WHR dent leaders at Government Holkar
2025: Unwarranted Cynicism’ (EW Science College, Indore, for gross in-
April). Given the nation’s complex discipline, and the UGC’s show-cause
Globally unique socio-economic challenges, indif- notice issued to 18 medical colleges
MY COMPLIMENTS to Education- ference surrounding India’s per- in various states for non-compliance
World on launching the inaugural formance in the World Happiness with anti-ragging regulations, high-
‘America’s Best Universities’ (EW Report (WHR) is understandable. light the often swept-under-the-car-
April) ranking the best undergradu- However, dismissing the report’s pet issue of student rowdiness and
ate colleges in the US. It is a much- findings is likely to hinder national ragging. I believe not enough is being
needed, market-friendly initiative. development. done by college managements to
Your parameters, quite different WHR 2025 evaluates factors curb student indiscipline on campus.
from QS and THE among other such as social support, freedom, and Priya Murali
rankings and focused on undergrad perceptions of corruption — areas MYSURU

12 EDUCATIONWORLD MAY 2025