Saturday, January 30, 2010

Euthanasia For Our Education System

I have a big problem with this education system and I believe I have a right to comment on it because I am product of this system. We have continued to churn out brilliant students who make us proud, yet we read grim news reports of how a graduate is forced to opt for menial and less deserving jobs. Why this great divide exists? For once, it has nothing to do with the child being schooled in a private or public institute. As a student for the past nineteen years, I have been able to figure out a bit about what ails our system.

Problem No. 1: Lack of proper environment
It is difficult to concentrate when the fan above you is whirling in a precarious manner and at the same time endure the stink from nearby toilet. You cannot expect kids to be mature and adjust to such circumstances, especially when they know they are better off at home. Believe me; the scenario I am describing is not that of a public school, it’s a reality even in private institute which charges hefty fees. For kids, schools should be something colourful and not drab and dull like the chuna on walls. Unfortunately not much has been done to create a conducive environment to stimulate their minds. Don’t you think kids would be much enthusiastic about sitting in a room complete with colorful benches and beautiful graffiti?

Problem No. 2: Too syllabus oriented
We can’t blame the teachers when they have a deadline to adhere to. The syllabus is defined so that the school may be able to cover the topics suited to the aptitude of students. But when did it become such a grave necessity? From what I know most of the professors are in such a big hurry to complete the syllabus that they take out the fun of learning. I can understand for board exams where uniformity is expected, but surely the other classes can be spared this treatment.

Problem No. 3: Disinterested professors
I don’t mean to disrespect the profession, but most people think teaching is a piece of cake. Nowadays, it has become increasingly difficult to find professors who have a passion for teaching. And the situation is worse in colleges because most of them are not answerable to anyone. In schools, if a teacher is not found performing as expected, the management tends to take corrective action on basis of feedback by parents. But in colleges, the opinion of students is rarely taken into account and even if they do complain, the management has its hands tied up because it is increasingly difficult to find a replacement. So life goes on and we stick back to sanskars taught by elders- learn to adjust.

Problem No. 4: More qualification = Good professor
Now this is the most nonsensical equation ever devised in the history of mankind. Institutes accept people for position of a teacher on the basis of the number of degrees they carry. What they fail to realize is that a large number of degrees does not make one capable to connect with students. It requires certain skills which are grossly overlooked during interviews and the result is a disinterested audience during lectures.

Problem No. 5: Too many choices and too many decisions
We all boast about the large number of choices available for the young generation, but I believe it only leads to more confusion. What is worse is that we are compelled to make the choices and that too the right ones at a very young age. How can you expect a teenager to decide whether to opt for Science or Commerce or Arts stream? Rather than getting influenced from our relatives and peers, I believe if we introduced a bit of every stream in portion, the student will get a brief idea about what to expect. That will make the decision making process a less headache inducing thing.

Problem No. 6: Less co-curricular activities
You must all be familiar with changes that accompany the transition from ninth grade to tenth ‘board’ standard. The first thing to be banned is participation in extra and co-curricular activities. And I am not talking about restrictions imposed by parents; I mean the rules laid down by school. They will conveniently use the time assigned for sports, art and crafts for completing the syllabus of some boring subject. Students will be banned from attending any sports events and field trips on the pretext of board exams. I agree academics are essential but don’t we risk losing a budding footballer in our midst if you ban him from the ground?

Problem No. 7: Too textbook oriented
All we have to do is mug up the contents of a thin textbook and we are sure to ace the exams. The result is that when we move to higher studies, it’s a bit of shock because we are expected to finish off a big book in a matter of few days. It is very important to inculcate the habit of reading in students because it is one asset which will help them sail through.

With this I end my thesis. I do have a lot to rant about but this post sums up the major points of my observation and experience of being a part of a rotten education system that continues to chug along happily while taking in hopeful students at one station and offloading a disgruntled bunch at the next station. I hope this train derails soon; we are in dire need of better modes of transport for students.

6 comments:

  1. we need a coal runned engine and not metros... right now for the education system.. you would probably say whats this for an answer but thats were we are behind we have thesis on problems where is the damn solution..

    really this are the problems we are facing...
    and what i mean by coal engines is whatever the answers to this problems we need not force feed the children but let them take in slowly and interestingly..

    and hey blog title changed from 'LIFE & Me' to 'THE SILENT WORDS'..would you change that please...thanking you already..

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  2. nice post..but i have a few differences..
    wen u talk about confusion on deciding streams at a young age...i beleive there are good carrier councellers who can easily guide u to the field of ur interest...
    and u havent talked about the lack of interest on the part of students...do u ever open up a buk and read what is going to b taught in the next session? at least the subject wont sound like greek if u do so...

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  3. I am actually happy that KP Sibal has brought the option to select 5 out of 6 subjects in 10 Board...dat will ease d pressure on young minds..Also the stress should be on quality of education which is missing Big time.I teach small kids in an NGO and they still try to mug up English since its a Marathi school.
    Neways Kids make their stream choices based on parents and not on their liking which is d problem..Carrier counsellors end up weird choices..So,i would suggest encouraging schools to take some responsiblity fr grooming kids to find out what dey lik and encourage it...

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  4. @ Nikhil
    My reading list names your blog as The Silent Words but does not show the same on the blog. I think it will change once you update your blog.
    @ Anand
    Career counselors are no good, trust me. I have been to three of them and they assign you career options based on your aptitude and not on your interests. As for the lack of interest in students, I think teachers play a pivotal part in generating curiosity about the subject. Trust me, I went crazy about Sanskrit because my teacher stirred up interest in me.
    @ Arvind
    You are right, the school is a major influence on kids and they should be involved actively in helping students make career choices. You can't blame parents for making children opt for conventional careers-they have your best interests in their mind. Schools might help in providing a practical approach for choosing a career.

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  5. our princi has stirred up great interest in ICE :) i am loving it :)

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  6. m too conufuse to coment on dis....i mean i m unable to come up wid a proper solution for d education system.

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