Today, I have the pleasure of hosting Jas from Going Beyond The Pages on my blog. I have known Jas for quite a while. She is very similar to me, a young mother, a freelance writer just like me and she is an entrepreneur as well :). Her posts sparkle with warmth and sensitivity. Her blog is a place where she shares slices of her life with you. Today, she does a nice parenting post for me, the topic of which is very close to me personally. So over to you Jas and thanks for doing it for me…
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Do you know what my worst nightmare is? That my son comes to me one day and says that he has fear of standing up and speaking his mind. I had that and almost always imagined that either the stairs leading to the stage would be slippery or that I would tumble down or the stage itself would come crashing down. And if none of that happened, I was sure that I would choke on the words right in front of the entire gathering and freeze.
And it was not without a reason. Once in college, for my first seminar, I went on the dais and after saying Good Morning, every single thing that I had prepared for in the last 7 days just got wiped out from my mind. The sea of curious onlookers that looked like zombies made me claustrophobic, and the words just entangled my wind pipe. Thankfully I had a back-up plan – giving the prettiest smile, I ran out through the back door.
Asking questions in the class was not prohibited, but I always had to gather so much courage that the first few minutes were lost planning and the time after asking the question was lost thinking whether I asked it right. Oh! And in the milieu if my mind drifted to the present, I could hear the answer, partially. I wonder often what could have prevented that anxiety and reluctance to come out of the hardened shell. And when I see my son going through the same education funnel with little importance given to speaking what he feels, I can almost hear the same whirlpool waiting to engulf his young mind.
They are given homework, textbook material, to copy; make charts with very little imagination involved and even lesser fodder to make the brains churn. They are never asked after the holidays to stand in front of the class and talk about what they did. They are never entertained when they think out of the box and ask why teaching has to happen within four walls and not in the park. A valid question isn’t it!
They are simply told to stick to the norms and as soon as they step out of the school, they are thrown into the whirlpool of choices, decisions and assertions and everyone expects them to come out winners. Well trained minds and not well educated, as they say. And that’s the reason why we don’t have a breed of innovators but just hard workers and followers.
Why our education system refuses to change? In pre-primary, the children spend whole day cramming numbers and alphabet, but there is no emphasis on improving their conversation skills where they learn to make sense of what they are doing. No involvement in group activities where they learn empathy, sharing and handing over of control. They stand in the class just to answer what the teacher has asked. How about giving them the opportunity to ask why we sing the national anthem the way we do or why clay modeling just happens in free time and not right after they come in the class? How about letting them prepare a scrapbook of their favorite activities rather than alphabet and their sounds?
There can be many ways to nurture the young minds so that they reason, come out of the shell and look for answers and not just put the blinkers on and follow the footsteps. They can be asked to prepare simple projects on what games they like and tell other children about it. Or what cartoon character they like and why. In higher classes, they can be encouraged to write essays that are not mugged and vomited out of the book but are their own experiences. And also reading them in front of the class. That gives them confidence and allows them to engage with their audience. Early teens and there can be group discussions, debates within the class over topics of national interest, social importance and not just leave this step to be climbed later for getting admission to MBA or in coaching classes .
Molding the clay best happens when it is still wet but our education system waits for it to harden and then tries to shape it. What we get are half broken wills and thinly baked talent.
What we want is holistically shaped thinking and freedom to find one’s own calling. Are we even heading towards it?
Pic courtesy: http://www.voicesofyouth.org/
Thanks so much Rachna for letting me have your space and allowing me to express my viewpoint. 🙂
My pleasure absolutely, Jas!
Very thoughtful post, Jas. Thanks Rachna for the share. Our educational system is by itself a great flaw, we care more about the final marks rather the holistic development of the child.
Thanks Cloud Nine. It is indeed flawed and for the future to be progressive, it should change.
In a capitalist economy, we get what we want and what we pay for. If it is a democratic one too, then it’s what the majority of the people want! Simple 🙂
Destination Infinity
I don’t think majority of people want just theoretical knowledge for their children DI. The curriculum needs a re-visit badly but I agree that with all politicians interfering with what should be in the textbooks and what not, things are going worse from bad.
Hey Jas,
You know how close this post is to my heart..I had written something a while ago on similar lines..of course, nothing so articulate and well-put! Lovely post, and thanks Rachna for hosting Jas 🙂
Thanks Uma 🙂
This is a subject we all find not only close to heart but also in a way tingling the raw nerve. The building blocks have to be sturdy but in our education system, they are the weakest and I would go to the extent of saying that they are almost crumbling.
Hi Jas, very relevant post. Being a mother, these things bother me too. Though my daughter is very strong willed child (complaints of her teachers against her reinforce this fact!), but a paradigm shift is required in education system if we want to produce a crop of confident and thinking citizens
Thanks Meenakshi
Certainly and with right way of teaching, the personality of child becomes even more brighter.
ha ha 🙂 so her teachers complain against her free spirit !
Ya, my girl is tornado and cannot be confined to a single chair, she is constant pain in her teachers neck.
he he 🙂 so should I tell you she has company because my boy too cannot sit at one place..
Add me to your gang too please with two boys born with springs :).
I agree whole-heartedly with what you’ve written, Jas. This is something I feel strongly about too. It is really sad the way education is institutionalized (and not only in India). When one comes out of school/college one is really lost and unsure, because we are just not equipped with the right skill-sets to survive real life situations.
It is and it just takes away the precious years settling down and making sense of things in the real world. And if no adjustments happens, the wills are broken, the confidence is shattered and future becomes bleak.
Thanks Chatty Wren.
Frankly I don’t know who has done the honor to whom-Rachna for providing a well known and much followed platform or Jas,the brilliant writer,who does justice to every subject she handles.But one thing is certain that we the readers are the beneficiaries.
We should all realise that teachers make the difference and the foundation is built on what is being imparted in the young days-not only the knowledge,the good values,the hunger for learning and the ability to think independently.Sadly the private schools have become commercial and the government schools ineffective.Unlike in US where the children are made to understand the concepts with less of books and more of doing the work by themselves,here we make them cram and memorize..
As I said elsewhere the teachers should discover talent-academic, aesthetic and technical-and stimulate and guide the children to become proficient in their chosen skills. The teacher should act as a trigger, letting children roam free in their minds and seek answers to their unresolved questions. He should rejoice at the discovery of kindled spirits and provide the answers wherever he can.
Whose job is to provide basic primary and elementary education?The government does not even spend 6% on education
Thanks so much Mr. KP for such kind words 🙂
Exactly and our education system in a way binds the teachers as well because there is always pressure to complete the syllabus. I wholeheartedly support the western countries in this case because the children learn to think and innovate instead of just follow.
6% is too too low. No wonder the entire country is going to the goons.
Jas, that’s exactly what’s going through my mind. Education system needs to focus on overall development of the student instead of making them mug up textbooks and score 100% marks.
And I am also a person who would hide in the shell. But thankfully I had few teachers who were confident in me and used to pull me out of the shell and encourage me to come to the forefront.
We need more and more teachers like this and for that too the overall education system needs to elevate its level. Teachers also need something to get motivated.
Thanks Seena.
Well well well.. Our nation is full of issues and the problem is they keep piling up and we dont know what to do, neither our leaders know anything ..
I once wrote a comment somewhere that we need to stop moaning and what not about useless things and concentrate on stuff which is important .. and BY GOD I was bombarded (which you know how i get ) with tons of things .. why shud we .. blah blah blah..
Now here is a prime example.. To me it is more important to make sure the education is changing and the next generation that will be taking the country ahead is properly equipped.. THAT is a priority NOT that Kitty party MEET to discuss something (i shall refrain saying what, but you know what i mean) which will not benefit anyone or hardly does other than the ones who attend the meet.
Education is very important MAJORITY of the problems we face will wither away if proper education is imparted, and I BELEIVE in that ..
when ever we disucss something people say of forget it , its their knowledge which is letting them down .. or something on that line .. SO if people are educated then at least they will be able to make an INTELLIGENT decision.
I did a few group lessons and other activities when i had come to uk, with kids here in some schools and I tell you , I was shocked , I started my career as a teacher and I had come from india , I had a set of rules I was looking for what book to Teach, what curricullum , but here its different .. They have stages .. some kids are stage A some at C , different subjects .. someone is bright in maths , some in english or some in geography..
That is how they build upon the intelligence NOT push the child to go home and get a book and Mug it all up..
I mean we all did it come exams time we mugged up the book, the question came and we blurted out on paper everything we knew or had mugged , irrespective of the fact wether we understand or not what we are writing ..
I have taken some courses here to extend my knowledge in IT field, and even that is so very different from the way it is taught back home, I was the WORST student in school, or college , barely managed to pass because the idea was always to get that illusive 36 marks out of 100, that was the pass mark..
but without showing off I can tell you I .. ME and everyone will laugh out loud , I mean my parents almost had a heart attack when i told them about me topping my course , ok one time is a fluke but a few times now is good ..
So and I am not saying I have suddenly given birth to a intelligent bug in my brain but its the way things are taught or the way explained.. I am still the same what i was back home and here , nothing much has changed.
BLIMEY i have written a post .. sorry sorry for taking so much of your time , I will shutup now
Education system has to change …
Bikram’s
Wow! Thanks for such a loooooooooong post errrr comment 😛
But you have pointed out many right things. The things that if incorporated into the system can change the entire trajectory of life here in India. We always talk about how country is not progressing but one of the main reasons is certainly education, the way it is imparted and as of now nothing is happening to improve it.
Bikram, that was very enlightening. And that is exactly true! Each child is capable and has different abilities. The point of the education system is to explore and understand their own abilities so that finally they can do the work where they have aptitude, skill and inclination. Yes, things are changing slowly here, but they are certainly not as bad as they were in our days :). Thank you and I love long comments ;-P.
There is never going to be a perfect school or a teaching methods. It takes effort on all parts to make a change, and I find, that posts such as this are encouraging and a step in the right direction.
Ofcourse.. never perfect but at least good enough to create thinking human beings rather than just followers. Thanks BA
Our education system certainly needs many changes but i think top priority should be given to
1)Improving the standard of Govt. schools
2)Eliminating corporal punishments
3)Making sure that kids are not molested in schools
4)In recent months many kids have been forced to drink their urine in school-what kind of education is this ???
This is not education, just a brutal side of it. Yes if the govt. schools get better in their standards, the private schools won’t have monopoly. But if the teaching style remains the same, nothing will make a difference. The teaching style, the emphasis on practical skills, and basically learning needs to be there.
Thanks Indu for taking the time out to read and comment.
nice
Thanks 🙂
Jas,
Right you are. We do need to have emphasis on education and not just studies from the book. I may be out of touch now as our children have passed that stage but still do take interest in grandchildren schools at times. I found their schools involving them in activities for mental as well as physical growth quite well. Hope your post is read by some educationists who can introduce much wanted changes in the system. Take care
Rachna,
Thanks for introducing her. Take care
Thanks Jack. I hope these changes come and mere scores don’t matter.
The system has to change and as you have pointed out, we need people who are not just followers but innovators and problem solvers. Loved Bikram’s comment in this discussion. Unless we stop ‘teaching’ or thrusting bookish knowledge into the heads of kids, we will never be able to make this possible.
Exactly Zephyr. Unless the emphasis on bookish knowledge doesn’t stop, we won’t see any change happening.
Thanks for reading and commenting.
J.Krishnamurti’s schools (The Rishi Valley School) are run like that, children are left to explore and come to understand things without any pressure. I wish we had more schools like that, but there is a disadvantage also, for if we want children to survive in this highly competitive educational system (which might take years to change),then this form of education may not be suitable for everyone.
However, I have friends very old and very young too who have passed through this school and have done remarkably well in their lives.
The choice is there today too, but are parents willing to put their children in such schools is the question.
BTW, fees is not an issue, they charge according to each one’s capacity.
I didn’t know about these schools but if such concept exists then I am glad that at some thing is happening to bring about the change. I agree that putting children into such schools require lot of brainstorming because ultimately you want them to live their life well and they do not fit into the bracket of what other schools are doing. But still it is a fresh start if such kind of schools are affordable too.
Thanks rama for reading and sharing your view.
This school has been there for years, for example,one of my uncle (who was 85 when died 2 years back) and his whole family passed out from that school, and they have been in very good positions in life. Their children too have branched out various unusual but very education oriented schemes by which both the students and the teachers benefit.
Actually, we also tried to put our kids in that school, but when they saw our children were already in mid school level, they advised us to stick to the original school(which too is a very good school) as the contrast between their school and ours was very different and they felt that it might affect the children adversely.
We just loved the school and the environment, but we understood what they were trying to tell us.
And my daughter took a totally different line after her 10th, she joined Chitra Kala Parishad one of the oldest art colleges in Karnataka Bangalore to do a 5 year degree course in Fine Arts, though she chose to specialise in Commercial Art( Advertising).
People used to ask us whether we were crazy in putting her in that college, but my daughter was firm in what she wanted to with her life and we let her do it. Now she is a Creative Directer in O&M and earns more than an engineer, doctor or a software professional,and also loving her job. So despite studying in the so called regular schools children can think for themselves if only we would allow them to think and let them chose their own field of interest.
The parents are more to blame then the children, for they are still stuck in the small world of engineers/ doctors/ accountants and computer specialists. Every field has scope if one is willing to work hard and be in love with their chosen subject.
Rama, I have heard of these schools. There is Vibgyor too. Unfortunately, these schools are very far for me. And, you might be surprised to know that many parents these days are open to such ideas because many of us have lived abroad. Also, I think that in terms of career choices and letting the kids explore our generation of parents is more open than our parents were. And, even in the conventional schooling, things are not as bad. I have written a long comment sharing my own experience. I think the balance lies in not discarding our system but retaining the best of it and incorporating the desirable methodologies from other systems.
Vibgyor is here too but is it within everyone’s reach? It is not.. The fees are so high that most of the people can’t afford it. I agree the balance lies in retaining the best and incorporating new methodologies from other systems.
True Jas. Not all these schools are affordable. And,they are still very few.Your points are very valid. Even though changes are there, our orientation is still teach and learn, not engage and learn. Besides, teachers are so hard pressed for time. They are slogging like crazy and yet underpaid though we end up shelling hefty fees :(.
Well, the Valley school is in Kanakapura, and their bus comes at about 7 or 7.30 am and right from breakfast, lunch and some short eats are given, and the children are back by 4 or 4.30 pm. I think it is quite reasonable, for the children are going to a school which they enjoy, and they don’t have the pressure of home work, heavy bags, with short break tiffin and lunch to carry along with them. They just have something very light to eat or drink before they leave for school. Now the other schools also have their buses coming at the same time, only they might be home a little earlier, than these children, but what is the use, they have heavy home work and other classes to attend.
Vibgyor is just minting money. In Madras there is a very old school called Anne Besant school and it also runs in the same principle. In Valley Schools right from the principal to the peon eat the same food in the same dining room, and we were told that the fees is charged according to the ability of the parents. Well, we have to be willing to make the change, and everything else will fall in place.
Even now many of my friend’s children go that school, and they are very happy.
Loved this post…What a great message. I couldn’t agree more! 🙂
Thanks Jessica 🙂
with time we are going to see more followers than innovators. after all who doesn’t like a follower? yes, the education system is responsible but the root cause for that is the lack of belief in our own abilities, and also a growing need for aspiring professionals to master certain traits.
a wonderful read! loved that backup plan. even i have followed that on numerous occasions. i was always concerned about the reactions of the audience than focusing on my subject. and being an eternal backbencher i never had to ask too many questions.
Thanks Debajyoti
With right education, belief also comes. I know there are many people who have excelled despite studying in the same system but if the pattern changes, more and more children will start questioning the beliefs and things will start looking up.
Ya the back-up plan saved me that day.. thank God for back doors in classrooms 😛
Hmmm..I agree to what Jas says and all the other readers said too. Education as a system should change in India. But I wonder, in this highly competitive world, is it possible? I think it should start from the parents choosing conceptual schools rather than marks/rank minting schools. If more and more parents opt for that kind of education, then the people making rules might as well start to bring in changes.
I remember doing everything that Jas has mentioned. Mugging up just not for exams but even my essay writing and elocution competitions. So foolish…I think all of us love this post as it is connected in some way or the other in regard to our kids. Thank you Jas, very well put. Thank you Rachna for having her done this nice and most useful topic.
And the kids are still doing it. My son is in LKG and he spends most of his time cramming counting till 100, alphabets- big and small, writing them instead of doing mind-churning worksheets, nothing for analytical use of brain.
Thanks Latha 🙂
So very true!! I am so grateful for the American education system, in that respect. It is definitely of a ‘lower’ standard than the Indian one, i.e. kids do not learn half as much as they are required to in India, but everything they do learn is in-depth and there are so many group projects, book reports, and each kid, right from kindergarten, presents his work in front of the whole class, and sometimes, the whole school! This year, my son was elected to play the lead in the school play! He was asked whether he wanted to. I was holding my breath because I could not imagine doing it myself, but he actually said yes!! I guess all those 3 years of training in class gave him that confidence!
Very pertinent topic, Jas! Glad you brought it up!!
Thanks Roshni. People living abroad can compare things so easily.. Our education system is still so backdated that our grandparents also studied the same way. It is such a happy feeling to even read about “group projects, book reports and each kid, right from kindergarten, presents his work in front of the whole school”. Can we match that? And at the same time I am sad that kids here in India are missing so much.
the education system in india is different .. as compared to uS or any other foreign country ..I will go with Bikram ..he clearly defined ..dos and dont’s so the basic education starts from home and we need to be more practical then jus theoretical!
If you ask me, everyone does that at home so that kids turn out to be thinking individuals but the influence schools have on the kids is something entirely different. Thanks Harman for commenting.
Wow! I am so impressed by your insights and honesty here. After years of teaching in public schools (non-union state) and trying my level best to help children think for themselves and be creative, all I can say is, if the parents weren’t their first and foremost teachers, my efforts were a lost cause.
Government education does not, for the most part, lift up, but dumbs down. Learn just enough to function, but never, ever reach for the stars. Such a crying shame!
I urge all parents to homeschool their children if at all possible or place them in private, preferably religious, schools where success and individual growth are celebrated.
Blessings to you!
Thanks Martha
I agree that parents are certainly a driving force but what teachers and schools can do, parents cannot. So It is a team effort for me and if any member is weak, the entire effort is diluted. Really such a shame.
Thankfully we have parents who encourage their children to explore and never stop asking questions. There are so many exciting books, audio-visual media available in the market, that makes learning an exciting process.
I agree wholeheartedly, Purba :).
Me too 🙂 but the roles schools play is vital.
Schools have not progressed much except adding more technology and gizmos,in terms of quality of education. Very true, the art of public speaking, creative pursuits like writing, drama, singing are all left to be nurtured by individual effort! These are needed for well rounded persona:) Thanks Rachna and Jas , yet again for this thoughtful post!
Thanks Rahul. Though schools are coming up with these pursuits but it is still very very limited and not within reach for many. They are still considered as added facilities and not part of development by schools.
I completely agree to what you say. There are a number of drawbacks of our education system. Wish we had an interactive education system and also more varity in education streams. I also echo what Rahulji said in the above comment.
Yet another quality post from Rachna says. Thanks to Rachna and Jas:)
Thanks Kavita. It would have been wonderful if the interactive education system was in place. Sadly no educationist or the people who are responsible for making the strategies can’t listen to us.
You have echoed my thoughts Jas…..We need to raise our voices against rote form of outdated learning. My son was memorizing the same language( chapter) which my husband did three decades ago during his engineering….and months later he forgot all about it. A sorry state of affairs.
Really heart breaking, isn’t it!
This rote habit makes all the right kind of learning and engaging very difficult. Thanks Alka 🙂
I agree 100 % Jas. I discovered that I could speak only when I was doing My MBA. Till then i didn’t even know that I could speak. Schools…the less said the better. We hope that we put our kids to good schools hoping that they would get a complete education but in turn they turn out to be zombies.
And that is me. don’t know whats happening to me today 🙁
But bh is nice though hard to recognize 😀
Same here.I think now things are little better with more exposure abut satill the style of teaching remains the same. Zombies indeed.
Jas, first thanks for the thought-provoking post! Now this is going to be a long comment :). I remember my days back in school when kids were picked and chosen for extra-curricular activities, so most kids did not really get any stage exposure. It was the best of the lot who got chosen again and again. Today, there are loads more co-curricular activities, syllabus has been simplified, formats like worksheets and continuous assessments have been introduced. These days all kids get to be on stage — all! This is very positive. I did my first major presentation in college. My 10-year-old son has handled assembly presentations, class quizzes, school presentations, and many other activities this far. My younger son, the shy one, has got a lot of exposure, story telling, craft etc. in his class as well. His shy nature holds him back, and I am okay with not pushing him and letting him find his comfort zone. So, things are definitely changing. In Kindergarten here, there were no assessments or tests whatsoever. They begin only in 1st standard. Yes, kids learn alphabet, reading etc. but I have file full of art, craft and other activities that they have done. Each festival was celebrated in school and lots of fun and dance were incorporated. So,again things definitely are better. The approach needs to be further modified because teachers still have a syllabus to complete. And, some of them have mind blocks about a certain mould that should fit all kids. Some of them are unable to handle kids having a wide spectrum of abilities. Teacher training may help here. Despite there being more emphasis on rote in my days, my son knows so much more in so many areas compared to me. Because,he has exposure to informational channels, interactive videos, books, magazines etc. His syllabus is also different. I am not in favor of discarding our academic edge yet. All I want is further flexibility in teaching methodology. First and foremost, parents need to understand that each child is different with different skills and behavior pattern. I don’t agree that parents are the villains pushing their kids mercilessly. As a matter of fact, I am better informed than my mother was. I take active interest in teaching my son. And, who is stopping me from engaging him in writing fun things or essays that you pointed out. I have always found his teachers receptive to ideas and change. I can even go and talk to the Principal openly. My parents could not in our days because was there any feedback mechanism then? I think the change is coming on but slowly. Parents and teachers need to support each other and share open communication as well as have a good feedback mechanism. Higher studies are still riddled with competition and rote and that definitely needs to change.
I think this can be converted into another post 😀 But really the long comments are my favorite part of blogging 🙂
I completely agree that change is happening. Even my son has just assessments as of now, they do craft, drawing, have singing and dancing lessons but the style is still the same. Activities have been added, exposure has been increased to certain extent but the engaging part of learning is still not there and that is my grouse. As you also pointed out, rote is still major part of our teaching and that needs to go.
I agree it depends on the teacher as well that how open he or she is to trying new ideas but that happened in our time too. We had teachers who despite strict curriculum made everything fun and easy to learn.
As a parent, I can do many things but I can’t replace the contribution the schools make in overall personality development.
Dear Rachna, and Jas – What you’ve written is the concern of at least 90 % parents who send their kids to school. We have gone through this too. At some point – I reached the end of my tether – after a particularly harrowing 10-day holiday when my son spent most of his time bent over his desk writing away. They tend to load them with homework even during the holidays. I worked up the guts to write a strong letter to the Principal of the school – with suggestions – similar to what you wrote.
Creative work involving the child’s mind is fine, but giving them projects where the parents have to participate is ridiculous. I am glad to say the letter had some effect – and they are now asking children to talk about their holidays, encourage them to teach portions of lessons in class – and similar stuff – all geared to talk in public.
Another annoying this is the school magazine where they call for contributions in the last minute – and only a handful of children get published. I suggested a monthly class magazine and am glad to say they now have one. After all every child is talented and while some are extrovert, a majority will never display theirs until asked.
The problem is – even if teachers want to be creative, the system loads them with so much admin work that they just don’t have the energy to do more than the mandatory teaching. If the Principal is responsive, then parents can urge them to take action with suggestions. So many factors – make it all so tough.
At the end of the day – it is a struggle. And a challenge for children who tend to hold back.
Great to meet you, Jas. And thanks, Rachna.
Have a great day!
Very pertinent points Vidya and I am really happy to hear that your school has gone ahead and incorporated the suggestions. That’s what we want ultimately. Every child should be given an opportunity and as you said some participate by themselves while some need push and that is what is lacking in our system.
A real challenge for kids who cannot come out of their inhibitions by themselves. I agree that teachers are so much loaded that they are not left with any choice.
I am glad we could connect here Vidya 🙂
I just wrote on Jas’ blog as to how true all this is. And it reminded me of this song:
Little Boxes by Malvina Reynolds – so profound, so true! 🙂
Nice to hop to your plance Rachna. I’d love to read your posts.
Thanks Jas for this lovely post, as always.
I heard it Toffee and can’t agree more.
Thanks Toffee for hopping by 🙂
Thank you kismitoffeebar! Yeah, I love that song. It is amazing.
The free and young minds of our children have been chained to tough syllabus and procedures. In fact they need to come out of there shells and do not want to be bookworms only rather they should be groomed for life and not for degrees. Our policy makers must resort to serious educational reforms in the interest of a better nation…..our children deserve a better academic treatment for the bright future.
but unfortunately our system is not helping in the development of our children but is destroying their careers… many youths who failed in their tests n examinations , could have become artists and painters of repute…After all Tagore had no formal education but he won Nobel Prize….
Irfan that’s the irony of the situation. Degress are also important but with more emphasis on practical knowledge.
Yes, certainly lot of talent is wasted and future drowned because of this system.
Thanks Irfan.
Loved it!! I completely agree with Jas on this. With both my kids struggling to make sense of the ‘syllabus’, I doubt if this is what eventually will help them in their life ahead. Urge you to read something I wrote at Parentous about an incident http://www.parentous.com/2012/11/23/the-gift-of-the-question-mark/ ….. kinda talks about the same thing.
Thanks Nirvana.
I read your article and enjoyed it very much. Questions, inquisitiveness is not at all encouraged in our system .We always have rebels, converts who take on the system but we want more and more children who have future that is better shaped.
I can very safely say that our education system is not getting better. It is getting worse. And I can say this because I always get the inside story via my wife who is a teacher.
Schools cannot fail students till class 8th and there are cases where even though the child has failed in each subject, he is passed and that is another end of the spectrum. There are parents like those who read this blog who are genuinely concerned for their children and then there are parents and teachers who do not give a damn.
When I see people working around me in my office, I see communication as a major problem. I do not understand why our education system does not emphasise on this aspect of our personality. A lot of people I work with cannot speak one correct sentence of English and they have to deal with the British. The irony!
I don’t know about you, Amit, but I feel that the system is better in some ways now though a lot more needs to be done. I can see from the experience with both my kids. But, yes the policy of no detention is very foolish. I don’t see how pushing a child forward who is not upto the mark helps anyone. Yes, communication is a huge problem, and sadly language teachers are not good either. There are so many times when I have to correct my sons’ pronunciation and spelling. It is much worse for Hindi. It all boils down to inadequate salaries and harsh working conditions for teachers despite the fact that we are paying through our noses. If some money is invested in teacher training and development and better salaries for them, this sector will also attract talent. Trust me, I have seen some pathetic professional writers in my line of work. My husband,a software engineer, who extensively worked with foreign teams was once asked by a Dutch client why English levels vary so drastically across Indians? It is a very sad state. I think even companies are to blame. Perhaps, they can invest in an English communications course right at their premises.
The system is changing but yes no detention is really not the solution. I once had to deal with a speech therapist and he himself had such incorrect pronunciation that I was wondering what he was going to teach the children who come to him for speech delays.
Better teacher’s training is also another aspect that requires lot of attention.
Thanks Amit.
oh I can comment on blogs….cool 🙂
didn’t know that!!
I’m sorry I had to do it in yours but in return I’m following your blog.
Cheers!!
Interesting post. I full agree. I think one of the reasons in because a good number of people going into the profession of teaching at schools, especially primary school, are failures in life who could not get a better jobs. What better can you expect from them?
Of course teaching is another aspect of it but the methodology they are told to follow is outdated now and that also limits them.
Thanks The Fool 🙂
Education today does need a complete overhaul. Enough of our being meek little, do-as-you’re-told mice and enough rote learning with no thinking, discussing, deducing and exchanging ideas. What a very relevant post, Jas. Great guest post, Rachana.
Thanks Kay 🙂
Definitely and it is rotting the system beyond the point of redemption. I think it is high time that educators at the top level take notice of the biggest drawback of our education system and do something about it.
Food for thought for sure. Students should be thought to think for themselves, like you said.
Thanks for hosting Jas, Rachna 🙂
They need to or otherwise in few years, we will just have followers and wicked people to cash in on them. Thanks A.
Your post addresses some very relevant concerns regarding education. I think it has a lot to do with teachers. A good teacher can make all the difference.
Rachna, when you listed the similarities between you and Jas, I wasn’t expecting this – I mean, she has touched upon the kind of subject you would have loved to write about. 🙂
Great post, Jas! Thanks for hosting her, Rachna.
Thanks Destiny’s child 🙂
The similarities are surely more than one and I am glad to have found Rachna through blogging 🙂
Teachers are torch bearers but our system weighs them down a bit so that enthusiasm to make a difference is diluted to a certain extent.
Thank you Destiny’s Child. I was pleasantly surprised with the topic as well :).
The marking system and the comparisons will have to be buried deep down because these push the kids to mug up and just run after marks. The ability to think and question out their learnings has been on a decline.
Going by the books makes Jack a dull boy, in fact creative thought process needs to be developed n encouraged.
Marking system is going to be there M, its the importance given to the marks that has to come down. The intelligence is gauged on the basis of score and that is the downside.
Certainly, the creative thought process and practical learning needs to be brought to the fore.
Thanks M 🙂
People do not understand that in today’s world, Despite the profession one is in, communication skills play an important role in shaping an individual. That can be developed only when children are allowed to speak and given a chance to express their thoughts.
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