Textbook or Passbook?

It is a rocky ride through some verdant countryside for about a hundred kilometers from Yadgir. Narrow roads, small hamlets dot the way. Population is sparse, yet the lack of civic sense and general hygiene stares starkly at you. It has just rained, the fields are disarmingly green, though the monsoon has been disappointing this year. Talikoti emerges in a couple of hours. It seems to be an unpretentious town with a no nonsense look going about it's own business. Roads are empty. For anyone used to Bangalore's clogged roads, it appears to be a town under curfew.

The private degree college at Talikoti, has close to thousand students spread across the Arts and Commerce streams. There are no Science degrees offered. Campus is fairly large, the classrooms are buzzing. Students though are a bit reticent in their remarks. Gender lines are clearly drawn, with one side of the classroom taken by the girls and other by the boys. Aspirations run high, ranging from taking a shot at the Indian Administrative Service (IAS) to acquiring a doctorate. Some of them want to start working, many want to be teachers. An encouraging sign.

The faculty seems very knowledgeable. They say that Talikoti's economy is driven primarily by two factors - the agricultural trading center, one of the largest in the district and the education 'market'. Crops grown in nearby towns are sold at the trading center. No industries exist in the town, so there are also no engineering colleges. Infact, there are no colleges offering even a science degree! Though, there was a time when a few companies producing edible oil had been present.  But then, they had to shut shop due to unfavorable factors such as salty ground water and lack of suitable infrastructure. 'We don't take any risks. So, we stay where we are.', says one of the teachers who has been living there for a long time. Another one says, 'We are the Education Capital of Karnataka.' Now, thats a strong claim. 

Apparently there is a large market for coaching. Over a hundred private coaching centers exist in Talikoti. And they keep sprouting up. Most are residential. Students are charged anywhere between Rs.6000 to Rs.18000 an year as fees. These coaching centers do not offer any 'formal' education; neither do they help students with their curriculum. They focus on equipping the students to clear the Common Entrance Test (CET). Many teachers choose to jump onto this coaching bandwagon, as it offers a livelihood. A few conscientious ones prefer not to. As one of them said it is a choice between the textbook and the passbook. And the student profile? Primary school kids! Yes, children aged between nine and twelve, stay in residential schools and slog it out to clear entrance exams for getting admissions to sixth standard in the so-called good government schools. Children from many parts of the state come over to enroll at these centers. Regular school is given a pass, though children do register in the schools to ensure they progress. So, thats the capital being built by the Education Entrepreneurs.  Its very similar to places like Kota in Rajasthan, which has a thriving economy built on top of the coaching centers preparing students for the IIT JEE. Whereas a seat at the famed IITs might pave the way for a very bright future, it is not clear what is the lure for children to break into government high schools. Especially, if it comes at the cost of childhood. 

Seriously, do we need entrance exams at that level?