Head of Department,
St Anns College

An interview with Mrs. T Malathi,
Head of Department, St Anns College

Mrs T. Malathi is a renowned name in the arena of Education. Having around 13 years of experience in teaching, Mrs Malathi has held various posts in State academics. As a faculty in Economics, she has also been responsible for authoring books of S Chand publications on Intermediate Syllabus of Economics. Her most noted achievement, however, is winning the Best Lecturer award on a state scale for the last three consecutive years.

1. As you are settled in the field of Education we would like to know some of your views in this regard. Why did you choose teaching as your profession ?
Ans: As a teacher, I feel next to a mother. It is only a teacher who can guide a child for his personality development and for a successful life through education.

2. What is the role of Education in any country ?
Ans: In any country to grow, it is not enough to have many literates. There should be an increasing number of educated people. Education is very important in moulding one's character. It broadens one’s social outlook & improves the quality of life.

3. How is the Education System in India ?
Ans: We have both formal & informal education provided to our people through Govt as well as private agencies.

4. What is Govt.'s contribution in it ?
Ans: In the Constitution of India, Article 45 of Directive Principles of State policy provides free & compulsory Education for all children up to 14 year of age. We also find operation Black Board Scheme, Non-formal Education, (Adult Education) Open Schools & Open Universities as efforts towards imparting Education.

5. How is our Higher Education System ?
Ans: For everyone in the country Education till +2 level has become very important as it allows the students to plan their future goals of life. At +2 level they are focussed on different subjects in different groups like BPC, MPC, CEC, MEC. Based on these they choose their line of life. Presently most of the parents as well as students are showing interest in the professional courses like CA, CS, ICWA, BCA, MBA etc. Students in sciences join MBBS/Engineering in premier or other institutions.

6. What is HDI that we are hearing in the news nowadays
Ans: HDI (Human Development Index) is an indicator of the Economy which reflects the quality of life of the people. In our 9^th five year plan the Govt. has given top priority to Human Resource Development and the term that you asked has been coined by UNO in 1990. It covers the per capita income level of education and a few other other important things.

7. What is your opinion on Amartya Sen's Contribution to the Nation ?
Ans: Amartya Sen is a Nobel Prize winner in Economics. He feels that no science can add value to life without proper focus on human development. Any Govt/Country cannot progress, if it ignores the importance of social awareness and social growth among people. Political parties, private agencies and the media have a great role to play in this aspect.

8. What are your views about the attitudes of people towards education?

Ans: Nowadays parents are giving complete freedom to their children do choose their line of life. They are exposed to a number of opportunities. The realisation has come for everyone that it is the talent/skill that allows man to survive in the present system of economy and people perform best when they are in their profession of interest.

9. What do you mean by Career Guidance ?
Ans: It is about counselling a student as to what should be his/her career path. It is very important for a child to set their goals. I feel the teaching faculty can play a better role in guiding their students at a +2 level It is so because with experience & efficiencies they can advise in a better way than the friends/family members who are comfined to a household living.

10. What are your suggestions for the present youth to be successful in their life Ans: Everyone should be determined to make their life successful and they should be well planned as well as organised in their efforts to face the challenges in life to succeed. I feel nothing is impossible in the world with so many possibilities for a successful life. At the same time, they should also remember that "survival of the fittest" is the rule which is existent in the economy nowadays.

Sathya S