Sheeba Singh

© The Tribune, August 3, 2004

School education in India is as good as anywhere else, says Prof Malessa of Brandenburg University, Germany. Malesssa frequents India to conduct classes every now and then specialising in science and engineering. Following are the excerpts of an interview with him.

Q: What do you think of the standard of education in India compared to Germany?

A: I was surprised to find such high standards in schools as well as in colleges and universities. Especially, the school education in mathematics and chemistry, in which I was interested most as a chemist, was on the same level as it is in Germany. Chemistry, which is more and more neglected in German schools, specially in the past few years, sometimes seems to have a higher standard in India. Colleges/universities are seen from the theoretical approach comparable to German levels. Practical education in laboratories offers better conditions in Germany. Surprising, however, is the high degree of automisation of mechanically, at times not too costly, test stands in colleges.

Q: What is your impression of the education system in India and how do you compare the Indian and German systems of education?

A: The system is close to the English/American system and compatible to the systems in most industrial nations of the world. There is the high number of women in engineering and science departments. Additionally, the good behaviour of students (perhaps changing in the past two years) must be mentioned. Didactic efforts of lecturers have been intensified in Germany in the past years.

Q: And your evaluation of the Indian student in India as well as Germany?

A: I have no special experience with Indian students in Germany. Asian students (Chinese, Vietnamese) in Germany show commitment. They overcome cultural and lingual problems with their dedication to work.

Q: What, according to you, are the good, bad and improvable points in the Indian education?

A: Indian education is of international level (Higher schools/colleges/universities). However, let me repeat a question a college boy asked me: If there is good education in India, why is Indian economy not as successful as, for example, the Chinese? It is the Indian way of education — to aspire for formal degrees and qualifications and not succeed in business. Is it the Indian way of improvisation instead of fundamental organisation as we do in Germany? I don`B4t know. But in India things are changing. Perhaps, it is the beginning of a fundamental success in economics.

Original article can be read here.