"Education Is the Passport to the Future" - Prof. Divya Tanwar

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1. Tell us more about your experience as an educator.

Teaching is the most satisfying experience for me. It has given me the opportunity to groom future entrepreneurs, leaders, bureaucrats, scientists, educationists, and whatnot. As an educationist, I find purpose in my work i.e. contributing towards society and my country. It’s a matter of great pride. 

2. What is your opinion of the Indian education system and how would you like to change that? 

Like our society, the educational system in India is very diverse. We have world-class educational institutions i.e. IITs, IIMs, Central Universities, Private Colleges, and Universities. At the same time we still face challenges of meeting the educational needs of different sections of the society. Our masses lack access to Quality Education. Govt. budgetary allocation for education is grossly insufficient. India is spending only 3.7% of GDP on the Education sector, whereas countries like the USA are spending around 6.5% of GDP on education. With almost 4 times the youth population, India needs to increase allocation to education significantly. I even urge the corporate world to proactively join hands with the government for meeting the challenges that the educational system faces. 

3. What changes in the teaching methodologies have you seen in recent times? 

Teaching methodologies should keep developing with technology and skill-sets required by society. Today, Information Technology has pierced through all fields of human activity. In education also we are progressing towards more digitization and e-Learning. Covid-19 has accelerated the transition from classroom learning to online and distance learning. The best of world educational institutions are moving to virtual classrooms. 

4. How does education help one do well in their career? 

Education provides knowledge about different developments taking place in fields like science, technology, business, politics, economics, etc. It provides for different skills and training required to lead a life in different professions. Education also inculcate values, ethics, habits, and good practices required for different careers. 

5. Do you think teaching as a profession is viewed at par with corporate jobs? 

Teaching is one of the noblest professions. It’s a job with a large social purpose. Teachers are responsible for building citizens on whom the future of the society and nation depends. If you are viewing the comparison in terms of salary between teaching and corporate jobs; I would say that money is only a commodity to lead your life. But a sense of purpose and satisfaction is the earning which you can achieve while being in a teaching profession along with your salary- no matter how high or low it is. 

6. How can we adopt technology to make teaching more effective? 

Technology is one of the greatest multipliers in terms of output. Through online and distance learning, the students in remote locations can have access to education at affordable costs. The students can access e-library, e-journals, and databases, which was not imaginable before. Online learning can help impart the most relevant knowledge and skillset required in the job market. 

7. Why does India need more educators like you? 

We have outstanding teachers in our country. The great set of leaders, industrialists, economists, sportspersons, scientists, etc. today in the country are because of the sacrifices made by the teachers of this great country. India has always had a great spiritual heritage. “Guru” in India has been given the standing of “God”. All we need to do is to keep believing and keep doing. The environment of this country needs to be kept healthy so that each individual is able to bear fruits of the efforts put in by the teachers in his/her school: no matter Government or private or otherwise. 

- Divya Tanwar, VP Indo American Business Chambers of SME

- Interviewed by Shilpy Sharan