The Greek term bureaucracy translates to ‘desk ruling’. Max Weber described bureaucracy in terms of the rationalization process. Weber thought that industrialization and capitalism caused the society to rationalize, moving away traditional values, beliefs and ideas. As the organization grew, so did the need for bureaucratization. In the modern world, bureaucratization has been observed in virtually every large social system. Education is one of them. Below are a few features that explain the bureaucratization of education:
It develops an official system: The bureaucratization process creates a structured system where people are assigned roles and responsibilities. The system is made more efficient by breaking a larger unit down into smaller units. In formal schools, for instance, there are different departments that include IT, admissions and health. Each department is also assigned specific roles.
Specialization can be a result of a specialization system. The division of labour depends on the talent and expertise of each individual. The experts in these fields, such as music teachers or dance instructors, are the ones who teach music.
Hierarchy is the key to power. When organizations were smaller, people interacted and made decisions together. Those in charge of the rules and regulations within an organization are able to do so as the organization grows. The rules are then passed down to every employee in the organization. In bureaucracy, power and hierarchy play a major role. Weber argues that the way legitimacy and power are exercised is directly related to the structure of the society. Akshaya Patra for example serves a mid-day meal in schools without including garlic, onion or eggs. Even if they don’t enjoy the food, it still gets served by the government because it’s hygienic.
Rules are well-defined: These rules are clearly stated and properly written. For instance, there are time limits for each class and subject.
Routines: Such a system is characterized by its specific structure, specialization and rules. The system is so mechanized, people have forgotten to be creative to change it. Debates still take place on topics such as the aim of education. In a society dominated by capitalism, education is often seen as the means of securing a good job. That is perhaps why the Draft National Education Policy 2019, 2019 places a focus on some essential subjects.
Impersonal: People eventually feel alienated by this routine and hierarchy. In some cases, I question the motivations of teachers, particularly when they are under pressure to achieve 100% in every class and to finish the syllabus within a set time frame. Teachers are not allowed to experiment with different methods of teaching and learning. It also leads to teachers becoming more humanized and disenchanted.
In a society with many complex systems, bureaucratization is a reasonable thing to do. According to the State Report Cards of Elementary Education in India (2015), there are approximately 1.4 million Indian schools. It is essential to create a structure and rules that will allow schools to run smoothly. In 1986, the New National Policy on Education established the 10+2+3 System, equal access and a common core for the curriculum programme. Right to Education (2009) has written rules that ensure smooth school operations. The aim is to ensure that everyone has access to basic education. This is done by setting uniform guidelines on ‘teacher to student ratio’, continuous and comprehensive evaluation etc. to ensure every child gets the best possible learning experience in the classroom. The teacher is held accountable and responsible for the job. In 2015-16, 7.5% of schools had a single teacher. It would be very difficult to adhere to the rules in this situation. This shows that a one-size-fits all approach may not be the best with these strict rules. In a society with a high level of specialization, bureaucratization will not be a good fit for a limited number teaching staff. In a classroom, the bureaucratic structure limits the potential for creativity in both children and teachers. The majority of teachers are demotivated because they’re required to do administrative work in addition to teaching. Teachers feel alienated by this trend. My opinion is that bureaucratization can be important for large systems, but it’s possible to achieve formal standards in a democratic way without causing alienation. The lack of affordability and accessibility to all will continue create a hidden culture, power and hierarchy. Gijubhai Baheka and other educationists have tried the Montessori method, which places emphasis on a child’s own development. These experiments are also being done in small groups by alternate schools. Educationists must now understand how to apply this system to all schools in the nation while maintaining formality and humanity.
