An Impaired Educational Landscape: Unveiling the Crisis in GDC Bhaderwah

A few days ago, while scrolling through my Facebook feeds, I came across a post on Government Degree College Bhaderwah (GDC afterwards) by one of my Facebook friends whom I don’t know personally. Though written sarcastically, this Facebook post reflects the crisis our prime educational institution is going through. I texted him and asked for his consent to quote him here, to which he agreed. He’s written and I quote:

“It was just a ‘normal’ day or what passes for normal these days. I attended classes after two days, not because I was home or the concerned teacher was absent. I was there, waiting for classes to start but teachers were busy (a usual excuse). Today’s lecture was monotonous as ever with someone behind me muttering the same words teacher was saying. Seeking help, I asked this student if he can help me with some concepts I have been struggling with for quite some time now. The person replied “the problem is you are not interested in studies at all, go buy yourself MBD guide and you will be like me”. Perplexed, I moved on to the next class. It was a ‘practical class’, I went in search of my classmates and teacher. They were not in the lab where practical is supposed to be performed. To my surprise, practical was being performed in the classroom itself, on the blackboard. Such a nice skill. Kudos to teacher. I thought I’d meet the elusive Principal, whom I’ve only seen thrice in the past year as the person remains confined to his chamber. He is very active in events and functions though. I contacted some serious student and we planned to revive student’s union for the betterment of students. A senior professor intercepted our plan and commented “shun your biased lens and focus on studies, let the college management handle things”. Intrigued, I went straight to physics department to fix the optics of my lens. I found the department locked and came to know that there is no one to teach physics let alone fixing problems. Disheartened, I retreated to one of the vacant classrooms to read Robert Greene’s “The 48 Laws of Power”. After staying there for more than thirty minutes, I feel nauseating as the classroom was filthy and had not been cleaned since weeks. Wanting to puke, I rushed to the washroom, finding it predictably locked. This suffocating environment led me to contemplate going back home, as my routine day seemed to be over. We had only one class, English, and I decided it was better to leave. (English faculty, I must say, is best in the business). Taking the back-gate route, I found it unlocked and the gatekeeper’s cabin deserted. Exiting the college premises, I passed through the college ground, here I spotted a group of students puffing cigarettes. One of them, looking unhappy, mentioned, “This smoke-up isn’t enticing me, as the gatekeeper took more than his share”. Bereft of energy, I thought of seeking help from the college bus driver to go home. Approaching him, I discovered him relishing marijuana with the gate-keeper. Bhaderwah ka rehne wala hu, GDC ki baat sunata hu (I’m from Bhaderwah, and that’s the tale of GDC).”

The Inference

If this story is believed to be true then let’s be clear on one thing—we are in deep crisis. What I could infer from this narrative is that the pursuit of mediocrity in our educational institutions is just not an approach but a goal, an art form. In an article titled ‘What Ails Bhaderwah’ (dated March 15, 2021) published by The Chenab Times, I have argued about various crises Bhaderwah is immersed in. It seems that over the years GDC has perfected the art of lagging behind on every performance indicator except producing a high number of students with graduate degrees. It might be one of the performance indicators but not the only indicator. The description of a ‘normal day’ at GDC paints a vivid picture of a student’s frustrating journey through a seemingly dysfunctional educational institution. This account reveals a myriad of issues that plague the college environment, raising serious concerns about the quality of education and the overall student experience.

The student’s attempt to engage in academics ends up in encountering a pervasive sense of apathy among teachers. The monotony of lectures creates an atmosphere that hardly inspires a passion for learning. The suggestions to simply pursue shortcut methods to fetch marks underscore a prevalent attitude that undermines the core values of education. The practical class scenario not only suggests deviations from standard educational practices, a lack of resources, organization, and a fundamental misunderstanding of the importance of practical learning but also teachers’ dishonesty toward their profession. The dismal state of the physics department, with no one available to teach, echoes a deeper problem of neglect and a lack of investment in faculty and infrastructure. The deserted and filthy classrooms further contribute to an environment that is far from conducive to learning.

The reluctance to involve students in decision-making processes perpetuates a top-down management approach, alienating the very individuals the institution is supposed to serve. The once vibrant student community now exists in a state of perpetual hibernation, with the only signs of life being the occasional yawn during boring lectures. The onus lies on faculty members, not on students. It is the college administration which is to be blamed. The revelation about the college bus driver and gatekeeper indulging in substance abuse further adds a layer of concern regarding the maintenance of discipline and responsible behaviour within the institution. It raises questions about the ethical standards maintained on campus.

Personal Interests vs Community Advocacy and the Silence of Media

In a recent turn of events, college teachers of GDC Bhaderwah took a bold stance against an order issued by the Deputy Commissioner Doda. The directive required them to register on a mobile App named Adbhut, adding an extra layer to their attendance tracking process. The teachers, already marking their attendance through biometrics, found this additional measure redundant. To my mind, their grievance is legitimate—if biometrics suffice for attendance, why the need for this mobile App?

But let me put the debate regarding legality of this protest aside for a moment. The crux lies in a broader observation: when personal interests are at stake, faculty members are swift to raise their voices, take action, and even involve the media. However, when it comes to advocating the greater good of the community and addressing systemic issues in their own workplace, the same lot often acts as silent spectators. When the salaries of these teachers were delayed – they promptly initiated a strike and engaged with the media to shed light on their concerns. The question arises: why this selective activism? The college administration appears indifferent to various malpractices taking place under its purview which is indicative of the fact that all they care about is their pockets. This raises the pertinent question of accountability and commitment to the institutions they serve and the society they are a part of.

Expanding on this issue, it becomes evident that the challenge extends beyond individual instances of activism or the lack thereof. It points to a systemic problem in the prioritization of personal interests over common good. The incident with the teachers and the Adbhut App is merely a microcosm of a larger societal trend where self-preservation often takes precedence over the collective well-being. This raises fundamental questions about the ethical dimensions of decision-making within various professions. It prompts us to ponder whether individuals, regardless of their roles, are equipped with the moral compass necessary to navigate the complex landscape of personal interests versus societal responsibilities. Furthermore, it underscores the need for institutional checks and balances to ensure that those in positions of influence prioritize the greater good over narrow, self-serving agendas.

This phenomenon is not exclusive to the education sector alone. In Bhaderwah, even the so-called journalists have fallen prey to a similar dilemma. Believed to be the torchbearers of truth and societal watchdogs, they seem to have transformed into mere advertising agencies. Stories are covered only when the price is good, with little regard for journalism ethics and standards. What is particularly disheartening is that these media personnel are products of the same educational institutions they now ignore.

How often do we witness media personnel reporting on the deplorable conditions of our educational institutions? Their duty extends beyond covering glamorous events like school annual day functions, rallies of political parties, and official functions organized by public offices. Society expects them to be the voice of the voiceless, champions of truth, and watchdogs against injustice. The transformation of journalists into agents of sensationalism driven solely by monetary incentives raises concerns about the erosion of their foundational role in society. This not only compromises the integrity of journalism but also undermines the democratic principles it is meant to uphold.

Conclusion

The dichotomy between personal interests and community advocacy is glaring. The individuals who are quick to defend their own interests seem to lose their voice when the larger community is at stake. It is a plea for those drawing fat salaries, be it teachers or other officials, to reflect on their responsibilities towards the institutions they represent and the society that depends on them to a great extent. The challenge lies not only in rectifying the specific issue at hand but in fostering a culture of proactive advocacy for the collective welfare. It’s time for a paradigm shift where personal interests do not overshadow the greater good, and individuals become advocates for positive change both within their institutions and society at large. Rest assured, if you ever find yourself yearning for an experience that combines the excitement of watching paint dry with the thrill of academic stagnation, look no further – GDC Bhaderwah awaits with open arms.

Touqeer Nazir is a student of Political Science and can be reached at touqeerplssc@gmail.com. The views expressed in above article are personal.

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Touqeer Nazir

Touqeer Nazir is a student of political science and can be reached at touqeerplssc@gmail.com.