KOCHI: It was an Ernakulam-Thiruvananthapuram bound KSRTC bus. All seats were filled. Many were standing. Soon, a book-seller entered with a mass of PSC test questions and a characteristic sarcastic smile.
“People are generally spend-thrifts on many unhealthy needs.” He announced his wisdom and conviction aloud. “They spend lavishly for alcohol, cigarettes, tobacco etc. which invite cancer and other diseases. But hardly any spend money for reading. Reading not even for very valuable purposes. “
A jubilant smile spread wide on his facial muscles and his eyes glittered with the insight he possessed. “This is the latest edition of PSC test questions. This contains thirty-three thousand three hundred and thirty three questions. It costs only Rs 333. You can gift this to your children, brother or sister, cousins or friends. This book contains all information and rich knowledge likely to come in the forthcoming PSC tests. The needy may come forward.”
As there was no positive approach, he yelled again: “How many of you know that the first who climbed unto the Himalaya was a Malayali? And what was his name?” “How many varieties of fish are flowing in the Periyar?” “What was the name of Akbar’s brother-in-law?” Nobody bought the book. Frustrated, he got down cursing all the travelers and the bus driver sprang up in to the driver’s seat.
I sent a deep sigh. Making use of this book, one will surely get selected for a government job, I thought. He and she can earn good money by way of salary, perks, graft and enjoy holidays and take leaves of absence on several grounds. But is there any question or answer or suggestion in the book as to how to open a file, or to draft a note or letter, how to deal with the customer, how to simplify the daily routine, how to maintain a movement register, how to keep up discipline in the work-place? And, moreover, how can one help a customer or a person of grief from hundred visits?
I just pondered over - how will these tests help in enhancing the employability and accelerate the performance level of the candidates?
The correct answer to a question as to how many islands exist in Fiji or Lakshadweep does no way help a staff nurse, a clerk or a bus conductor. It is our experience that an M.Com passed candidate cannot prepare a cash voucher or make an entry in the cash book. A bachelor of arts or science does not know how to open a file, thanks to our education system.
The Kerala PSC was set up with the intention of selecting good and compatible candidates and supply them to various government departments from time to time. In Kerala’s peculiar work culture that include red-tapism, official apathy, labour militancy, hartals and total disregard towards the visitors, how do candidates getting selected on the basis of such silly and irrelevant questions serve the purpose?
It is high time the PSC sets different types of questions that reveal the attitude, aptitude and adaptability of the candidates and after selection impart sufficient training on the required future responsibilities and skills of the candidates.
( The author is a corporate trainer and author).