Balanceophile

Disclaimer: I haven’t included the reservation system present in our Education system as that needs another blog!

“Study well for a few years, then you will have a wonderful life”

This is that one statement which we have heard more than once. Apparently, studying hard is the key to success.

Or not?

I have a few questions at this point- Are the young minds truly working towards becoming a well-defined version of themselves? Is the system taking them on the right path?

What is the main issue here?

Is it “My kid is so lazy! Else he/she can easily top the class!”?
Or is it “My dad always forces me to keep studying, I can’t study so much!!”?

The common point here is – Studying.

Why is it that young brains aren’t interested in studies? What is the main hindrance behind that?

It isn’t “being lazy”. It’s the Education System!!

Why am I blaming it?

Well, ask yourself – where have you used the “Neutralization Reaction” formula in your real life?

Exactly my point. We use Google to find out the best restaurant around us and not topography! We use a bond paper for rental agreement and not ionic or covalent bond! (excuse my lame puns!)

What I mean here is that we need to nurture young brains according to the changing environment. Why teach a kid only obsolete information when there is plenty to learn about the upcoming ones?

Let’s go back to one of the best education systems that India had – The Gurukul system.
A system where all kids were treated equal and trained on realistic skills.

The main concentration was on the real things that any kid needs to learn. The disciples stayed with the Guruji (The teacher) until their education is complete. And the disciples had to face practical tests to prove their abilities.

Young minds these days can crack a very difficult code in say 2 hours, but don’t know the basic skills like cooking! Is this the right approach to reach the ‘Mastermind’ state?

One might ask a question – everybody can cook but few can code?

Of course yes, but don’t you think kids need to be aware of key life-sustaining skills?

Another concern is that today’s education system has become more of a business than a morality. Educational institutions are competing by money than quality. This is in turn not only affecting parents’ financial situation, but also spoiling the children’s mental health.

When the education system is already making kids lose interest in studies, statements like “No playing outside during exams! “, “Why are you sleeping when you are supposed to be studying? “, “You just studied for an hour! You must spend at least 3-4 hours!” are killing them mentally.

Upon this, the stereotypical thought that the only career option that a student can have is to become an Engineer or a Doctor. Seriously?

And the educational institutions are kind of being affirmative to this thought and are pressurizing students to study or what I can label as ‘By-heart.’ Students, on the other hand, helplessly ‘By-heart’ and ‘vomit’ in exams. What are you trying to prove here? Test their memory? What’s the point? Are they improving their skills?

While there are countries like Japan where people teach kids basic skills like budget management, here is our country where kids are forced to study topics that are mostly not used anywhere in reality.

While this is the case, some kids out there are passionate about stuff like their mother’s special dish or Amitabh Bacchan’s great acting!
And what do you tell them? “Are you a girl to become a chef?” or “Look at your face? Why do you aspire to become an actor?” Why? Just because it isn’t one of your cliché careers, it just doesn’t mean one should not choose them.

As if this isn’t less, the students are forced in their primary school to study hard so that they can join institutions like IIT! There was even a meme that said kids have to start undergoing the training in the mother’s womb?? Is it funny?? NO, It’s pathetic! They are kids! Not pressure cookers!

Indians are shining in every field. Given a chance, Indian brains can rule the world! It all lies in our hands. Trying to stop kids from their passion is nothing but killing them mentally.

When we expect a simple app in our mobile phones to keep updating, don’t you think it’s high time, that the education system needs an update?

Comment below your thoughts on this.