Welcome change

Congratulations on completing 26 years of uninterrupted publishing! I enjoyed reading your cover story ‘Landmark Education Reforms: Languid Progress’ (EW November), presented in a refreshing visual format.

As a long-time subscriber of EducationWorld, I was pleased to read this new photo-intensive lead feature — a welcome change. I hope you will continue to use stronger visuals, infographics, data visuals, and design-led storytelling in future issues.

Chandrashekar P.

Bengaluru

English importance

Thanks for the insightful Anniversary Essay ‘Developing conversational English fluency’ (EW November). In particular, I appreciated how the authors highlight the wide gap between academic and conversational English. India Inc. has for long suffered because many graduates — especially from tier-II and tier-III towns — continue to struggle with confident expression.

Moreover, in a world where English has increasingly become the common bridge across diverse educational and professional environments, mastering conversational fluency is a real asset for job seekers. Fluency in English also expands opportunities in higher education, internships, and employment, enabling global mobility and enhancing graduates’ employability.

Sandeep Pai via email

Realistic assessment

Your 26th anniversary cover story provides a concise history of landmark education initiatives of the past quarter century and dispassionately evaluates their progress and outcomes.

It provided a realistic assessment that should inspire policymakers and civil society to keep pushing for meaningful education reform. Simultaneously, it made the point that sustained commitment — not sporadic interventions — is essential for lasting change.

Kuhoo Sharma

Delhi

Revealing joint venture

Your Eyewitness Report (EW November) on Middle East College (MEC), Muscat was revealing. This Indo-Omani venture showcases the possibilities of South-South academic partnerships.

With the US, Canada, and the UK tightening visa restrictions for international students, exploring alternative collaborations is an urgent necessity to ensure continuity, stability, and expanded opportunities for Indian students and institutions.

Debashri Bose

Chandigarh

State cover-up

Your Education News  report ‘Level Down Directive’ (EW November) rightly deplores the Karnataka government’s decision to lower minimum pass marks in class X and XII state board examinations.

This directive is a manoeuvre to mask deeper issues in the state government’s inability to provide acceptable quality education. With the education ministry unable to enhance learning outcomes — largely due to weak vision and inadequate investment — the easiest way out is to dilute exam passmarks.

However from the perspective of students and parents, this directive may offer some relief. Fewer children will now be labelled “failures” for no fault of theirs, but because of the poor quality and inefficiency of the education system. This decision will also increase the number of students qualifying for PU and degree college admissions, boosting demand for more seats and institutions.

In reality, this measure is only a temporary cover-up for the state’s shortcomings in improving educational quality and equity.

Dr. A.S. Seetharamu on email

Legislate strict penalties

Your Education News report ‘Bomb Hoax Menace’ (EW November) highlighting the targeting of 300 schools across Delhi NCR neither sensationalises nor underplays this serious menace. Similar bomb threats have also rattled several Bengaluru schools this year.

The Central government must legislate stringent penalties, including mandatory jail terms for bomb hoax perpetrators. Strong deterrence is essential for children’s protection and restoring public trust.

Prachi Shukla

Noida

Powerful example

Young Achiever Advika Sahney’s profile (EW November) is inspiring. Having experienced repeated infections during swimming practice, she was motivated to ideate DipSafe, a practical solution to check water quality in swimming pools. Her problem-solving determination is a powerful example to young people.

Manik Sharma on EMAIL