I took up this task of writing an article for my blog. I sat down to put something down. To my amazement I couldn't think of anything. It was shocking. I am sure quite a few of us have have experienced this feeling. After a lot of thought, I decided to blame the education system in the country and so I did. I blamed my teachers, my parents, I blamed everybody. everybody but me. Was I correct or was I wrong? I didn't know. But I didn't care. I think as Indians the attitude of not taking responsibility for our actions comes naturally to us. This was just a small personal instance that I quoted. What I didn't realize was the magnitude of the problem.
The point I am trying to make is that this has got a lot to do with what we do in our lives. The way we react to a victory, the way we react to a defeat, the way we react to something we know and something we don't, particularly when it has something to do with education. Let's see how.
A few of you will say that our education system is responsible for the lack of creativity and innovation amongst students in the country; while the other few will beg to disagree. which one of is right? well let's find out.
Let us for once consider that our education system has flaws. Let us say we don't have the right kind of infrastructure, the right kind of teaching methods. let's say we have a team of unprofessional and undedicated group of teachers. Let's even say our teaching and learning methods are very monotonous and not practical. For example, it may be giving us the Pythagoras Theorem but it may not teach us where to use it. does that give us the liberty to go soft on our education. does that give us the liberty to blame someone else? I'd say no. Aren't we responsible enough to find out about something we don't know? Something not taught in class. Or are there any restrictions that stops us from doing so?
Well from where I look at it, I think we are the only ones to blame. It is because we are lazy that we don't find time for enhancing our creative exploits. it is because we aren't interested that we end up not learning anything. It is because we aren't responsible enough that we blame someone else for our actions. I think I can safely say that the fault lies with us.
We've seen one side of the story. Now let's look at the flip side. what if our education system is as good as it can be? May be better even. Then why do we see so much ignorance? why is there no innovation? Whay is there no quest for knowledge? The Tagore's, the Vajpayee's and the Abdul Kalam's may be there. But why only them? whay not the others? Can't each one of us stand up for ourselves and be counted? Can't each one of us contribute to the intellectual development of our nation in our own small way? If we can, then why don't we? Here again we are the only ones to blame.
Now that we've seen both sides of the story, we can safely say that our methods of application are not right. The education system may be good or bad, it may be right or wrong. Irrespective of that, we, the future generation our country have to take the responsibility upon ourselves to build a strong, innovative and scientific nation. A nation which is supported by the pillars knowledge, science and at the same time various cultures and religions.I was planning on writing an article that would make everybody feel good, but I ended up writing something that would make you feel better. I want each one of you and I mean each one of you reading this article to look back at yourselves and analyze where you have gone wrong. I want you to analyze the purpose of your life. we've spent a lot of time studying. Now let's apply that knowledge in our lives. Let's put things to practice. we have to stand up and be counted if we are ever to see a developed and prosperous India. If you noticed we started with the same blank and here we are again.
________________________
We've spent most of our lives living in this blank. It's high time we filled it up. what do you say friends? Hoping for a developed, scientific and responsible India.Jai Hind !!!
10 comments:
A country can't get everything right . But a good education system is one of the basic requirements.We are doing fine(or even great) with what we have now and the only thing missing might be the creactivity or innovation as you pointed out in your post.
The school timings and/or cirriculum-load doesnt give a student enough time to develop a hobby or get better at an existing one .If that comes through, I am sure we can call the system complete.
Remeber man, we (India) are a huge nation the the very size of the country makes it difficult for education-good education i.e-to get to all corners . It will take time .Have faith .
I am not saying there is problem with the education system. My whole point was that we should start making an effort to do better. Let's face it, i don't think there is any education system which gives a wider knowledge base than ours. A little bit of effort is all it takes to make the system complete and that should come from our side.
As for the curriculum not allowing students to pursue hobbies, the curriculum has not changed much over the years. Its the way we look at education that has changed. Far too much importance is given to results. It is this race to stay ahead that does not allow the students to pursue their hobbies, interests, so on so forth.
Which brings me to the essence of my post.. Isn't this something that we as individuals must change(as opposed to the system itself)??
The above comment is from me(the author of this post)
hello sir.. first of all i congratulate and appreciate u for writing this as an analysis according to u.. its an issue to think about indeed. i'd look at it this way..
we, children do not have much rights or liberties when we are small. its just what the parents say is what we do. if the child had any option, i bet it would be completely a choice based education.. as in if i'm interested in music i'll take up education in music and so on.. but that would deprive us of basic common knowledge of all subjects which (i dont know if it is!) might be essential. well 'm undecided about the culprit with whom the fault lies but i think for a better all round development of young people, the only way is to evaluate them on that. yes! evaluate them on their development of an all rounder's capabilities just as u evaluate them for english, maths science, social, etc. just an opinion.. might actuall turn out to be helpful if such an evaluation is done.. but setting up the criteria is again a difficult task for this. i also feel only passionate ppl should become teachers, not everyone who thinks its a well funded leisurely job because the responsibility of shaping the future nation is o them. a very pleasurable, important, satisfying and difficult resposibility!
Swetha... A basic knowledge of all subjects is essential. Of course it is !!! In fact that sets the basis for a strong education. It gives you a wider range of options to choose from. My concern is not if the education system can provide the necessary tools for an individual to grow. My concern is that the system in place is not used effectively.
Your are quite right in pointing out that only dedicated individuals must be entrusted with the responsibility of being a "Teacher". After all they have the biggest responsibility to fulfill - To ensure the future of a country is secure.
There is definitely the issue of a parent being prejudiced and not giving sufficient freedom to their children to pursue other goals which are away from the stereo type. And this is where the change has to start from; if at all there is to be one.
ohhhh god..........u still have this one!!!!!! do u remember the story behind the title;) the blank line!!!!!
good ya u still carry the thoughts with u!!!felt nice...
the story behind the title is a little bit hazy but i do remember showing numerous drafts of this article before we finally decided on this one... i had to keep it... and i felt that was the best way to start the blog...
PS: quite a few people think its very vague :( ...
for those of you who don't know -
Tamarin a.k.a Nakul is the brains behind the title "______________" for this post, and this was written by me back when I was in college.
@ Nakul
I had every single copy of the drafts until a couple of weeks back. Finally cleared them out and kept one copy.
Some memories !!!
"I want you to analyze the purpose of your life."
I just do not understand everyone's fascination for analysis of "the purpose of your life"
What's to it?
You're born with nothing, you live for some 60-70 years, you die.
The end.
How much purpose can there be?
You have 5 odd years of toilet training and suchlike, 15 odd years of studying+wasting time, 30 odd years of working+wasting time, 10+ years of slight insanity and serious arthritis.
On to the education system now!
You learn absolutely irrelevant crap for a few years at school, none of which you'll ever use anywhere outside of school.
Then you go to college for higher irrelevant education. What you learn here, you might use in some work you do somewhere, all of which is utterly useless from a cosmic point of view!
What's to complain about?
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