The indiscipline among the students is on the increase. This is a fact borne out by daily happenings in schools and colleges. The newspapers are full of reports of unrest and indiscipline among students. It has become one of the serious problems being faced by the country. Students go on strikes, they resort to copying and cheating in the examination, insult their teachers and principals. They tear away pages from the library books or pictures from the magazines, write dirty things on walls, blackboards etc. and indulge in many other kinds of mischief. They clash with the police, throw stones and brickbats at them and practice violence at any pretext.
This widespread unrest and indiscipline among the students reflect the prevailing indiscipline, lawlessness and frustration in the society. The students alone are not to be blamed. They are misled and misused by various political parties to serve their selfish ends. The postings, appointments, transfers etc. in schools, colleges and universities are made not on merits but other considerations. Corruption and favouritism are rampant in these temples of learning.
Some teachers themselves are corrupt. They are greedy and run after illegal means of making quick money or enjoying power. They do not inspire confidence, hope and honesty among students. They indulge in dirty politics and can stoop to any depth to have money or power. Therefore, students have no role models to follow. The cable and TV boom and influence of western ideas and culture have further worsened the situation. The rapid disintegration of families has also contributed to the increasing indiscipline among students. There is neither character, nor values, nor morals in the society. Students imitate their parents, teachers, leaders and elders and behave accordingly.
The education imparted in schools and colleges is totally irrelevant and is not job-oriented. Reservation of jobs for certain categories of students has further worsened the situation. When without any hope or employment, they become quite restless and indulge in all sorts of indiscipline.
The problem is grave but is not impossible to check it. It is the duty of the leaders, educationists and teachers to address the problem immediately. There should be no political interference in the running of schools etc. The entire education system should be over-hauled and made job-oriented. The teachers should be given better salaries and allowances. They should be made accountable and responsible for the results and conduct of the students under them. More emphasis should be laid on character-building, moral education and extra-curricular activities. The union elections in schools and colleges should not be allowed to be fought on political lines. They must function only as educational associations. Only the teachers with merits and good characters to be appointed in the schools.