Volume 2 Issue 11 November, 2012
Need for research in effective education strategies for adults
There has been an exponential growth in the number of students joining colleges across India. According to available data, there are 1.42 crore students in 32,000 colleges, affiliated to 600 universities. The Ministry of health is keen to increase medical seats from 42,000 currently to 80,000 per year. Surprisingly, there has been little focus on ways to enhance the interaction of students & faculty, so as to optimize the benefits of learning and bring out the best in the students. Educating adults, especially in medical colleges is indeed a challenge. Though research in the field of child learning and teaching has been extensive, the same cannot be said about adult education. Students are a heterogeneous group at the beginning of their graduate education, but in due course of time become more or less homogenous in terms of aptitude and attitude. The primary goal of the undergraduate students today appears to be aimed at maintaining the required attendance, and receiving the minimum scores necessary to clear the examinations. There may be some exceptions! The post graduates, who are increasing in number in all departments, sadly, follow the same rule. This equilibrium is likely to continue if left alone, but is least likely to contribute to individual or institutional growth. There is thus an urgent need to explore the student teacher interface, and consider the changes that may be required at the various levels such as students, faculty, departments, Institutions and the University. The education system of adults needs such research, if we have to excel.
Consultant Psychiatrist, Mysore
