I’m in a state of euphoria. You, my reader, will wonder why and come to the conclusion that I have finally found love. But that is not the case. It is thanks to an article I read in the morning paper that has put me in seventh heaven. Now what is this wonderful article you may ask. Is it about the arrival of my favourite movie hero? Or about some new movie that I have been dying to see? Unfortunately it is none of these but a very simple article on the front page that said MG University is to grant autonomy to its colleges.
Now you will begin to think – what a thing to celebrate! But for me it is indeed a time for celebration. You see, teaching at BCM for the past two years, I have been living with the pain of the knowledge that here indeed would be chance for improvement and change if only autonomy would be granted at the university level. This would allow a college to set and structure its own syllabus and introduce any new course that it deems fit, provided it meets the standards. Just imagine the immense potential such a decision could have. It would actually transform the entire current system of education in the state. We would be on par with the metros. Our colleges might even begin appearing in the top 10 names. And just imagine quaint old BCM actually being considered one of the top 20 colleges in India for Arts and Science. Imagine us becoming a deemed university. Unimaginable heights. Imagine us setting the standard of education from our little hometown down south. Maybe Kottayam might even end up being one of the large-scale cities in India!!! Big dreams I know. Impossible dreams you may say. But there is potential and talent here and that can be used for the greater good. Gandhiji said – be the change you wish to see. This is just the first step in the process of transformation that Kottayam will see in the coming decades. Hooray to MGU for this historic change in Kerala’s education system. Hoping this is only the starting point….
