Editorials/Opinions Analysis For UPSC 14 March 2024

CONTENTS

1. Artificial Intelligence is Revolutionising Waste Management
2. Higher Engagement, Better Learning

Artificial Intelligence is Revolutionising Waste Management

Context:

The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) have attracted increasing attention in recent times. Presently, there’s a growing recognition of the crucial role that technology, especially artificial intelligence (AI), plays in advancing these objectives, leading to deeper discussions. Smart cities today are actively employing innovative technologies such as the Internet of Things (IoT), big data, and AI to transform waste management practices, facilitating the transition towards a circular economy (CE).

Relevance:

GS3-

• Awareness in the fields of IT and Computers.
• Environmental Pollution and Degradation.

Mains Question:

Discuss the role that AI can play in reshaping waste management practices, driving the transition towards a circular economy and propelling us towards a more sustainable future. (10 Marks, 150 Words).

Usage of AI in Waste Management:

• Creative uses of AI, including repurposing waste into valuable resources and reshaping societal attitudes towards resource usage, are addressing the complexities surrounding environmental issues.
• The potential of predictive analytics, driven by data and machine learning, holds significant promise in streamlining waste management processes, cutting costs, and improving efficiency.
• AI enables accurate identification and sorting of waste, with precision ranging from 72.8% to 99.95%. Utilizing artificial intelligence (AI) in waste logistics has shown potential in reducing transportation distances by up to 36.8%, achieving cost savings of up to 13.35%, and saving time by up to 28.22%.
• When combined with chemical analysis, AI enhances processes like waste pyrolysis, estimation of carbon emissions, and energy conversion. Moreover, AI implementation in waste management systems for smart cities can boost efficiency and decrease costs.
• AI aids in identifying and sorting recyclable materials, thereby enhancing recycling efficiency and accuracy. Machine learning algorithms analyze waste composition and characteristics, facilitating better identification of recyclables and streamlining recycling processes.
• Additionally, AI contributes to developing innovative recycling technologies, such as robotic systems automating the disassembly and separation of components from electronic waste, thus promoting a more sustainable waste management approach.
• In addition to waste sorting and collection, AI plays a crucial role in efforts to minimize and reduce waste. By analyzing consumer behavior patterns, AI systems can identify trends contributing to excessive waste generation.
• AI-driven chatbots and virtual assistants can offer immediate assistance regarding waste management techniques and address user inquiries in real-time. This empowers individuals to make informed choices and engage actively in waste reduction endeavors.
• Another substantial benefit of AI in waste management is its predictive capacity. AI systems can examine past data and environmental variables to predict waste generation rates accurately.

Challenges Ahead:

• However, integrating AI and robotics into waste management presents significant challenges, including diverse data sets, precise waste categorization, and effective recycling techniques.
• Transitioning to a circular economy demands significant changes in waste management strategies to tackle the escalating environmental risks posed by increasing waste accumulation.
• Although smart technologies show promise in addressing these challenges, various barriers impede their widespread adoption. Waste management software incorporating AI and computer vision enhances sorting processes, significantly boosting the accuracy of waste separation.
• While sustainable AI solutions hold potential for mitigating environmental issues, careful consideration of potential unintended consequences is crucial.
• Innovation and investment act as powerful drivers of economic prosperity globally, yet unlocking their full potential hinges on supportive public policies.

Way Forward:

• Creating an enabling regulatory framework, streamlining bureaucratic procedures, and protecting intellectual property rights are essential for cultivating environments conducive to innovation.
• Additionally bolstering research infrastructure, and fostering collaboration between academia and industry can expedite the development of innovation ecosystems.
• Financial incentives like tax incentives and subsidies play a vital role in stimulating innovation and investment in AI tools for waste management.
• Given the inadequacy of current methods to cope with such expansion amid climate challenges and strained urban infrastructure, the ascent of smart cities becomes essential. Effective waste management emerges as a pivotal aspect of this transition.
• Public-private partnerships provide avenues for jointly financing R&D initiatives, supporting startups, and deploying venture capital. Furthermore, nurturing entrepreneurship through mentorship programs and providing access to initial funding fosters a dynamic startup culture crucial for sustainable economic growth.
• Infrastructure development, particularly in transportation and communication networks, is crucial for nurturing innovation hubs and attracting investments.
• Collaboration and clustering emerge as pivotal strategies in nurturing innovation and enhancing competitiveness.
• National policies that promote the formation of innovation clusters encourage knowledge exchange, resource pooling, and collaborative research, thereby establishing specialized centers of excellence.
• Initiatives such as community energy production, organic food, and local waste management contribute substantially to sustainability.
• Dealing with the mounting global waste production requires comprehensive approaches that integrate AI and sustainable methods. As AI evolves, ensuring its sustainability and eco-friendliness becomes essential.

Conclusion:

In conclusion, the convergence of AI, waste management, and sustainable development offers a pathway toward a more resilient and prosperous future. Embracing innovation, fostering collaboration, and implementing supportive public policies are vital for realizing this vision. By harnessing the transformative capabilities of technology and sustainability, we can pave the way for a fairer, more prosperous, and environmentally sound world.

Higher Engagement, Better Learning

Context:

The Annual Status of Education Report 2023 indicates that over 86.8% of individuals aged 14-18 are enrolled in educational institutions, yet a quarter of them struggle to read a Class 2-level text fluently in their regional languages. India has long grappled with a learning deficit, a challenge highlighted in Pratham’s annual surveys. Despite increased awareness, little tangible progress has been observed.

Relevance:

• GS2- Education
• GS4- Role of Educational Institutions in Inculcating Values

Mains Question:

What role do teachers play in the inculcation of values among children? Why is the current education system struggling to impart inclusive, holistic and value based education that imparts confidence and curiosity among students? (15 Marks, 250 Words).

Learning Deficit and its Various Aspects:

Attendance:

• Public school attendance remains low, resulting in limited learning outcomes despite enrollment. This lack of engagement in schools diminishes their perceived value among both students and parents.
• Government school teachers often attribute poor student performance to absenteeism, leading to a cycle where low attendance reduces teacher motivation to improve engagement, further discouraging student attendance. This situation resembles a chicken-and-egg dilemma.

School Environment:

• Students thrive in environments where they feel motivated and safe, which fosters meaningful learning experiences. However, in classrooms across India, teachers often prioritize students seated at the front, while relying heavily on traditional teaching methods.
• They typically write questions and sometimes even provide answers on the blackboard, leaving students to spend much of their time copying from the board while the teacher attends to other tasks deemed more important.
• Despite asking questions, only a few students typically respond, with the rest often answering in unison. While this may seem like active learning, students are not truly engaged cognitively or emotionally.

Rote Learning:

• India has a longstanding tradition of rote learning, which has benefited many individuals in the past. However, this approach may not be suitable for all students, especially given the rapidly evolving world where different skills are needed.
• Consider a classroom scenario where the teacher engages with every student randomly, fostering an environment where each child is attentive, curious, and involved. Students are encouraged to collaborate, discuss, and solve problems together, learning from their peers.
• They have access to hands-on learning materials, such as math manipulatives, books, or science kits, allowing them to actively participate in the learning process.
• The teacher remains present in the classroom, providing real-time feedback as students work, resulting in cognitive engagement with the subject matter.
• There is a palpable sense of enthusiasm and ownership among the students for their learning journey. This exemplifies student engagement and creates a meaningful learning space for all learners.

Role of Teachers:

• For student engagement to occur, active participation from the teacher is essential. Classroom learning opportunities should be accessible to every student, regardless of gender, caste, religion, special needs, or disability.
• When teachers actively involve students in lessons, learning outcomes improve. While this concept seems straightforward, its implementation in classrooms is often challenging.
• Various issues within the education system, such as inadequate teacher allocation, ineffective systemic governance, outdated teaching methodologies, and a lack of teacher support and coaching, contribute to the difficulty of implementing student engagement practices on a large scale.
• Despite facing numerous challenges, there are many teachers who demonstrate passion and dedication in their teaching. However, even with committed teachers and good student attendance, children do not always learn effectively.
• A significant issue lies in the fact that many of these teachers themselves were not taught in an engaging manner. As a result, they may not prioritize engaging the learner, as they do not perceive it as their responsibility.
• Teaching is often viewed as a one-way communication process, with the teacher receiving little to no feedback from students during the lesson. Without insight into the learner’s thoughts, teachers cannot tailor their instruction to meet individual needs.

Educating Educators:

• Teachers often lack exposure to effective teaching practices such as questioning techniques, primarily due to the theoretical nature of teacher education and training in India. Training sessions typically involve seminar-style lectures with minimal opportunities for practical application.
• It is crucial to recognize teachers as continual learners and provide them with engaging learning environments that emphasize 70% practice and 30% theory.
• This approach serves a dual purpose: equipping teachers with necessary skills while allowing them to experience learner engagement firsthand.
• Furthermore, many teachers lack support within schools to aid them in adopting new teaching methods.
• Like all professionals, teachers require coaching and guidance to facilitate their growth. Despite the pivotal role of teaching, adequate support is often absent.
• Student engagement serves as a cornerstone for enhancing learning outcomes, yet it is lacking in many classrooms.
• Structured lessons, fostering high-quality teacher-student relationships, and granting students autonomy—such as offering choices within the classroom—can significantly boost engagement and improve learning outcomes.
• Implementing simple changes in classroom techniques can positively transform the learning environment.

Conclusion:

In India, considerable emphasis has been placed on the Right to Education in recent years. However, it is now imperative to shift focus towards ensuring the Right to Learning. Without this shift, continued reliance solely on reports like ASER (Annual Status of Education Report) will likely lead to continued disappointment.