When it comes to maintaining the standard of education, there is an impression that it is solely the responsibility of the institution. However, a small minority feels that learners themselves have to do their best to live up to the expectations of the institution.

· How far are these two views acceptable to you?

It is true that academic standards are thought to be ensured by institutions. But unless learners themselves try to get qualified to the standards of the institution they study in, even the best of institutions cannot claim of any quality. In think it is a mutual responsibility.

Firstly, when I look at the first view, I feel that the institution does have a major responsibility to ensure quality of education. To achieve this goal, there needs to be a host of things. For example, unless there are enough qualified faculty, sufficient infrastructure like labs, library and study aids, and a foolproof quality upkeep mechanism, we cannot expect an institution to produce best quality candidates. However, it is a fact that academic standards involve several other different things than what an institution has per se.

Therefore, the second view becomes equally relevant, and I strongly feel that learners themselves have to do their best to keep the standards. This is all the more important because it is not the institution that enjoys the quality but the student/s. Even if the institution has everything, the duty of maintaining quality standards is vested equally with the learners. For example, a learner can be complacent, but somehow get through an exam. But, it is his or her performance that matters most not that of the institution one belongs to.

In short, quality of education is achieved by a host of contributory factors. One without the other may not bring in the right result. So, it is right to conclude that institutions and the students are equally committed to keep up the standards of both of them.



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