The issue of student evaluation

In India, the Sixth Pay Commission for government employees, including university teachers was implemented recently. About ten years ago, the Fifth Pay Commission was implemented. I remember both at that time and now, the issue of student evaluation has cropped up. It has also led to severe protests and a lot of heartburn among the teaching community in India.

Around four months ago, I was discussing this issue with one of my seniors in the university, where I work. This person has been quite active in the teachers' movement and the teachers' association in the university. I remember telling him, "I think its a pretty good idea to let the teachers be evaluated by the students." However, he told me, "No, Roomy, you don't understand. India is not a mature democracy and this can be misused throughout the country."

So, I fell silent. When the University Grants Commission wants to enact something, it applies all through the country. However, I remain quite intrigued by this issue. I can understand that India is not a mature democracy in many ways and that a number of extraneous factors could influence university and college administrators to harass teachers. At the same time, there are other thoughts that swim through my mind.

I understand that student feedback plays some role in US universities. I know we would say that US is a matured democracy. So, it is. However, I also know from a number of my friends and colleagues, who have taught in Saudi Arabia, that student feedback, whether formal or informal, is considered important there as well. I don't know if Saudi Arabia is a mature democracy. It is a monarchy. Thus if student feedback could work in some ways both in the USA and in Saudi Arabia, I tend to feel it could work in India too.

I can understand the fears and the apprehensions. It is quite possible in India for 3-4 students to be swayed in a class of 50 and it is quite possible for the university or college to take action based on those 3-4 cooked up complaints. However, it wouldn't be legally tenable and would go against rules of natural justice.

I would like to hear more views on the subject. I am sure if student evaluation is accepted, then it should certainly be accepted properly, with clearly spelt out guidelines.