Flaws in our education system

We all have grown up in an environment where we are taught to score good marks because life is full of competition and staying ahead is the only way, and that way is scoring better marks then other. Nobody now talks about creativity. We have always seen that what we are taught in theory we don’t have a proper knowledge of that in practical world.

The function of education is to teach one intensively and think critically. Intelligence plus character – that is the goal of true education.

-          Martin Luther King, Jr.

By telling you this quote what we are trying to tell you is that there are many flaws of what and how a child has to be taught. Earlier what students were taught was self-realization. A key to unlock their full potential. We all know that Buddha was a king before he got self-realization by meditation. What we want to tell you is that schools should teach or implant a seed of curiosity in a child in order to bring change in the society.

In Indian education system theoretical knowledge is imposed on students instead of imparting practical knowledge to students. What we are taught is and what we should be taught is totally different. Yes, many students ask this question that why are they learning this theory which is all together a practical subject and the answer we get is that when we all will do the practical stuff we will be able to relate the theory with it. Is it logical to teach only theory to the students and tell them to relate when they do all the practical work themselves or it would be better to make them do things practically and teach theory relating to that. We understand that every time imparting just practical knowledge is not good but when it is required it is not good to teach theory in that. What we all have learnt is chemical formulae, trigonometric equations, and derivative equation of the formulae and names of the freedom fighters that fought for our country.

We are never imparted with the knowledge of what are the characteristics of that chemical and for what purposes they can be used. We are never taught why our freedom fighters did so much struggle as what were the consequences during that time that led to make such movements and were there any options available. Why should everyone cram trigonometry in high schools to score good marks. We all learn stuffs and get the knowledge of such things that has no daily use or else serves a very little purpose in life. There are various other problems which we will be discussing but our main aim is that you all should never lose your creativity and always ask a question why?

Another thing is that we are not taught how to do well as a citizen, be a successful citizen, start a business or carry out research on a topic. What we are taught is how to clear exams and score good marks. Well we all know that we have lots of exams in India after schools in short periodical span of 4-5 years. In the process, student loose interest in sports, creative pursuits and everything else that could be important. This also led to promoting private tuitions where they only teach to clear exams. Students who clear these tests and go in best schools lose interest in extra-curricular activities, this is not the case with everyone but happens to majority of the people. Learn to ask questions and have the curiosity to know the things. Albert Einstein was not a master in beginning but he was curios enough to know why and how things happened. Criticize what you don’t like and appreciate what you like.

Criticism has to be done without mercy as well as appreciation should be done heartily.

-          Biswajyoti Mahanta