Students take selfies with MP Kirron Kher at MCM College in Sector 36, Chandigarh, on Monday. Kamleshwar Singh Students take selfies with MP Kirron Kher at MCM College in Sector 36, Chandigarh, on Monday. Kamleshwar Singh

Local MP Kirron Kher on Monday said there was a need to relook at the education system as it is reducing our youngsters to mere bookworms. Kher was addressing students at the inauguration of Panjab University Youth and Heritage Festival 2016-17 for Zone B at MCM College in Sector 36. Posing a question to educationists and teachers, Kher said, “Think about a student who has scored 97 per cent or 98 per cent marks in matric examination or at Plus-II level. That student must have been glued to his books all the time, spending no time to play or indulge in creative activities.”

“If college cut-offs are above 90 per cent in a particular class, then where would mediocre students with 60 per cent or 70 per cent go,” Kher asked while talking about the admission cut-offs in various city colleges.

“Students who secure 60-70 per cent marks are also intelligent, but they could not get admission in courses of their choice for scoring lower marks than the toppers,” she said.

“Society needs youngsters with well-developed personalities and not just bookworms,” she added. Educationists and teachers should think how they could play a role in making students spend time doing creative activities,” she said.

She also said the city needs more colleges to accommodate the growing number of students. “The students need to be fully developed and not just be confined to studies. Those who don’t get their choice of courses should opt for skill development courses which will lead them to job opportunities. What is worrying is that the students even after completing their degrees are left in lurch as they get no jobs. Efforts should be made to improve this scenario,” said Charanjeet Kaur Sohi, principal, Guru Gobind Singh College for Women in Sector 26.

“The education system needs a complete overhaul. Instead of focusing solely on academic grades, the criteria for admission to educational institutions must be multi-dimensional. In addition to academic grades, institutions should give considerable wieghtage to students’ participation in co-curricular activities,” said Sudha Katyal, principal, Home Science College in Sector 10.

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