Education Views | Insightful Perspectives and Analysis - Edinbox

Jadavpur University (JU)'s campaign of erasing graffiti once again ignited fires on campus yesterday, bringing to the fore issues of political contestation and free speech. The administration did erase the flammable "Azad Kashmir" slogan, affirming Registrar Indrajit Banerjee, acting on behalf of the university, on a broader programme of campus beautification recently. Banerjee reported that the move was taken in March and was among efforts to sanitize all campus walls, though he conceded there were delays in following through.

The campaign, which was launched on March 24, initially focused on slogans against education minister Bratya Basu, following violent clashes on March 1. Among the earliest to be removed were graffiti featuring injured student Indranuj Roy and former student Sahil Ali, who was arrested in connection with the violence. Students took back walls within days of their removal, painting over the destroyed messages with new slogans, making it clear that they wanted their displeasure out in the open.

Interestingly, the next "Azad Kashmir" graffiti was to be followed by the administration opting to suppress less inflammatory slogans in weeks to come. The latest round of sanitizing, however, saw even the newer slogans painted over, denoting a clampdown on campus expression. One JU TMCP member termed the removal a "moral and political win," citing the factional quality of campus politics.

This graffiti cycle of erasure and re-emergence points to a deeper struggle at JU, wherein walls have long served as backdrops for ideological battles and student activism. While the administration would frame the clean-up as a value-free beautification effort, ongoing student resistance speaks to an ongoing struggle over who will define the narrative—and hold space—on the university's historic grounds

In a vehement and long-awaited declaration of medical independence, the Orissa High Court has rejected criminal proceedings against Dr. Rabindra Kumar Jena on the grounds that doctors cannot be subjected to criminal prosecution for choosing more costly medications unless they are inferior in quality, harmful, or otherwise proscribed by the state authorities. It is not a judicial directive in isolation—it's an appeal to the health establishment to maintain at arm's length the continually shifting thin line between accountability and professional independence.

The complaint filed against Dr. Jena, a prominent haematologist and former HoD at SCB Medical College, Cuttack, was filed on allegations of having unduly favored certain drug companies by using costlier medication under the Odisha State Treatment Fund (OSTF). The fund, established to benefit indigent patients, was what was at issue—not that the medication prescribed was unsafe or would not work, but that they were not the cheapest options on the market.

The ruling of Justice Aditya Kumar Mohapatra cut through the hubbub: issuing a costlier drug that is superior medically is not the same as misconduct. His observation that "if such kind of proceeding is encouraged, no doctor would ever try to treat any patient justly and fearlessly" gets to the very heart of the matter. Should a doctor be fearful of coming under legal fire for choosing a superior drug, even if the drug costs more?

Let's be honest—transparency in public healthcare is not an option. But this should not be at the cost of medical discretion. The quality of treatment, and not merely the cost, should decide on prescriptions. Justice Mohapatra was right in pointing out that the OSTF guidelines do not necessarily mandate less expensive medicines by default. Medicine is not a deal in the market—it's a matter of life and death.

The real failure here is in how prematurely the vigilance system criminalised a medical decision without expert scrutiny. As the court noted, no initial expert inquiry was made. The arbitrariness of the prosecution has the potential to create a chilling precedent for India's doctors.

This decision must be an eye-opener. In the interest of guarding public money, let us not criminalise the judgment of individuals who are professionally trained to preserve lives. Physicians must be made accountable—but not bound by suspicion.

Medicine cannot be practised in terror. Justice here has not merely defended a physician—it has saved the sanctity of patient care.

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has issued a monthly allowance for dismissed non-teaching officials at government-aided schools, with ₹25,000 and ₹20,000 allowances going to Group C and Group D employees, respectively, till the case gets judicially disposed. The cost to the state would be ₹15.3 crore a month. The employees lost their jobs after a Supreme Court order in the SSC recruitment case, and the state intends to move a review petition by early May. Though considered a relief of sorts, a section of employees is still upset, citing they're being paid allowances, even as others accept the development as a step forward.

Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's declaration of a monthly ex gratia payment to the dismissed Group C and Group D employees in state-aided schools is a temporary balm to an open wound. But don't be fooled—this is not justice, it is damage control, and it is uncomfortably raising questions about governance, responsibility, and equity.

Let's be precise about the figures. More than 7,000 support staff were rendered jobless after the Supreme Court directive in the SSC recruitment scam. The top court, on conclusive evidence of widespread irregularities, took the drastic measure of invalidating these appointments—not on a whim, but to safeguard the integrity of a flawed recruitment process. The state, which had not ensured transparency in the first instance, is now firefighting the consequences.

The grant—Rs 25,000 for Group C and Rs 20,000 for Group D employees—is a huge expense of Rs 15.3 crore a month. While one can admire the government's desire not to let there be a humanitarian crisis, we cannot let this fiscal largesse take the place of accountability. These workers, such as clerk Satyajit Dhar who aptly remarked, "This is not salary, it's allowance," are being paid to wait and not work. It's like distributing umbrellas once the storm has gone, never having repaired the roof.

Worse is the failure to differentiate between tainted and untainted candidates, which not only goes against the SC's position but also compromises the integrity of future hiring. Banerjee's observation that no list of tainted names was filed may be politically prudent, but legally and ethically, it adds to the murkiness.

What is the message in this? That irregular appointments, having been made, can be "managed" politically despite rejection by the courts? Or that institutional deception can be covered up with packages of compensation?

The state's decision to move a review petition is welcome, but one hopes it is done in the spirit of legal propriety, not political opportunism. In the meantime, for the thousands of affected people, the allowance provides survival—not certainty, not dignity, and certainly not justice.

Until then, this is not closure—it's just reprieve

In a remarkable Reddit post that rapidly became viral, a 21-year-old engineering student from Gujarat exposed the stark difference between her life in India and that of her cousin, who had moved to the United Kingdom seven years back. The sentimental but introspective post, titled "Is life in western countries actually better than in India?", has brought about a greater debate regarding the quality of life, education system, work ethics, and avenues for Indian youth—particularly women.

The two women have the same background—close in age, academically qualified, and enthusiastic about engineering. Beyond that, the similarities stop. The Redditor, who remained in India, presented a grim report of her educational and professional life. Battling overwrought college coursework, unengaging teaching practices, and a scarcity of internship opportunities, she chronicled a life overshadowed by extended working hours, paltry stipends, and social disapproval for failing to pass the Joint Entrance Examination (JEE).

“I worked 10 hours a day during my last internship for just ₹12,000 a month, plus an hour-long commute,” she wrote, adding that many better opportunities are reserved for college toppers, making the system feel rigged against average students.

Wales: Where Average is Enough

Meanwhile, on the other side of the globe, her cousin's life is different. Currently pursuing aerospace engineering at the elite University of Bath, the cousin has already landed two lucrative internships, been offered a job by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), and toured Europe with her university's Formula 1 student team.

"Neither is she a topper," the Redditor clarified. "But there, you don't need to be in the top 1% to live well." The post complimented the UK's education system for its practical learning style and open extracurricular environment—opportunities that are usually lacking in India's strictly academic setup.

While some of the users of the internet criticized the post for idealizing life overseas, others supported her opinions, mentioning improved air and water quality, rule-following societies, safer streets for women, and trust-based and efficient systems.

One Belgian user provided insight as a first-generation immigrant, saying Europe's healthcare, social justice system, and merit-based employment were objectively superior. "Even mediocre students with 60% can get good jobs here," they said, in contrast with India's competitive and sometimes discriminatory system.

The post doesn't simply contrast two lives—it captures the hopes and fears of a generation raised in the shadow of world possibilities. It challenges systemic imbalances, provokes ideas of success, and makes readers reflect on where India is in caring for its young. While the young engineer's musings might be based on personal experience, her tale has struck a chord far and wide—serving as a mirror for Indians everywhere trapped in the grind of "meritocracy" with no rewards. It's not so much about the West doing things better; it's about what else India could do.

A recent case involving a school in Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu has highlighted the requirement of menstrual hygiene and education among school students. An eighth-grade girl student who had recently gone through her first menstrual cycle was sat on the staircase outside her class and handed her exam. A video of the girl, clearly upset, went viral on social media, and outrage and alarm followed.

The episode also speaks about the insensitivity and indifference of the school administration towards girls who menstruate. The plight of the girl sends a strong message regarding the taboo and stigma of menstrual hygiene in our society. Menstruation, which is a natural biological process, remains a taboo subject, and girls are left to deal with this difficult situation without any assistance or guidance.

Every girl child should be confident and dignified enough to handle menstruation. But the absence of menstrual education and school sanitary facilities discourages them from doing so. The Coimbatore case calls for holistic menstrual education, inclusive classrooms, and facilitation infrastructure.

Schools have a strong influence on developing impressionable minds and creating an empathetic and inclusive spirit. To cultivate a support group for girls, schools may implement the following:

• Menstrual Education: Include thorough menstrual hygiene education in the curriculum, covering menstrual health, hygiene etiquette, and emotional stability.
• Sanitary Facilities: Maintain clean, well-maintained, and accessible sanitary facilities, toilets, and disposal units.
• Empathy and Support: Educate teachers and staff in empathetic and compassionate responses to menstruation issues.

The Coimbatore case is a wake-up call to society to put an end to menstruation stigma. We need to acknowledge the fact that menstrual hygiene is a fundamental human right that ensures girls' education, well-being, and health. Through menstrual awareness and gender-sensitive spaces, we empower girls to hold their menstruation with confidence and dignity.

In the future, the following has to be accomplished:

• Raise Awareness: Raise awareness among students, teachers, and parents about menstrual hygiene and why it is so important.
• Create Supportive Infrastructure: Install disposal units in sanitary facilities in schools.
• Foster Empathy: Create a feeling of concern and care towards girls when they are menstruating.

We can make our society inclusive and embracing for girls so that they can perform at their best together. The Coimbatore incident is an eye-opener that much work has to be done. Let us come together and shatter the taboo of menstruation and see that no girl child is deprived of dignity and confidence in managing her menstruation.

School counselors are finding it difficult to provide individualized student support due to a variety of reasons, a new report warns.

Nearly nine in 10 middle school and high school counselors indicated that providing individualized services is important, the 2025 School Counselor Report by YouScience, a college and career readiness platform, discovered.

The company's poll of more than 300 school counselors found time to be a major hindrance. The instructors are requesting additional resources, like student aptitude tests, in order to "streamline and enhance" their work, according to YouScience.

The survey found three main challenges:

Heavy caseloads: With 300 to 400 student caseloads, most counselors have to "put off proactive career and academic planning in favor of addressing pressing issues." Studies have determined that numerous students feel unprepared to select colleges and careers. In addition, the American School Counselor Association suggests a ratio of one counselor to 250 students.

Needs for mental health: Almost three-quarters of counselors said they are not well-equipped to handle the growing complexity of students' mental health needs. This has resulted in students being less connected to their school and futures.

Administrative tasks: The majority of counselors indicated that "compliance-related administrative tasks" consume most of the time that might be spent with students.

"School counselors play a deep impact on students' futures, but they're being overextended to create the type of difference they're being asked to create," said Edson Barton, YouScience co-founder and CEO.

"When counselors have access to up-to-date solutions, they can do what they do best: assist students in unlocking their natural strengths and creating a future based on their strengths and passions," he added.

Empowering school counselors

In order to reverse the trends listed above, the survey recommends that school leaders:

Instill digital career exploration and aptitude tests that increase counselors' ability to provide targeted guidance.

Install automated scheduling systems and provide administrative relief to counselors so that they can spend more time engaging with students.

Train school counselors in mental health services and increase access to mental health professionals.