Dear editor,
I read a Dec. 29 editorial, “Science and technology,” as a researcher in economics of human resource development (HRD) including education at all levels. The massive shortfall in application for an educational program like engineering and technology is ill afforded by a nation like South Korea which has otherwise emerged on international scene with a jet speed ― a thing of envy for some if not many.
In my opinion, it is the employment market which plays a crucial role these days for students to choose a particular educational program for higher studies any where including Seoul, South Korea.
Change is the law of nature. Everything should change except the love for change. But the changes in higher education are taking place so rapidly that anything becomes obsolete after certain period of time. There was an era in which an adage, "Jack of all trades and master of none" was popular.
In the course of time it was replaced by "Jack of all trades but master of one" justifying specialization. Now the scenario is inclining toward "Jack of all trades and master of all" which makes a strong case for generalization of education instead of specialization.
Being a teacher in economics of HRD, I have no hesitation in admitting that the economics of education instead of increasing the value of education has devalued the real value of education. Truly, educational value of education needs to be strengthened.
All this attract adverse comments on education system in general and teachers in particular and compel us to think whether we, the teachers, are honest, humane, hardworking in providing real education i.e. proper, productive and practical use of hands, head and heart (3P & 3H Program) to our students.
We need to accord education the status of a basic infrastructural activity with investment more than talked about time and again everywhere including Seoul.
Dr. M.M.Goel
Professor of Indian economy
Seoul