The existing Indian educational system neither parts knowledge nor provides values to the future generation. It is unfortunate that such situation prevails in a land that had Gurukul system of education and had Universities like Takshila, Ujjain and Nalanda centuries ago.
The limitations of the present system are:
¨ It produces literates but not educated ones
¨ Intelligence is decided by one’s memory power and not by aptitude or application
¨ Lack of encouragement to creative thinking / research activities
¨ Lack of infrastructural facilities; lack of motivation to faculty
¨ Lack of moral education
¨ Sidelining Meritocracy in the name of Reservation
¨ Considering Educational institutions as business centers
The present system produced likes of M. S. Swaminathan, Dr.Varghese Kurien, Dr.Abdul Kalam - but they existed despite this system and not because of the system. Education should inspire, make one free, make one experiment & ask questions. It should make you realize what you are!
The vision of Education is to inculcate knowledge & power to the younger generation. Since long, we are used to teacher-centered education. It should be changed to student-centered. The vision of educational system is to make one self-reliant, self-confident to achieve their goals.
Not choosing a career of their choice is not the problem but, Indian children do not have the vision to think beyond is. So, we need a revolution that brings vast changes in our educational system.
Change the mindset: Education is not a ticket to get a job. Everyone cannot be an Engineer or a Doctor. Let your kids choose their career. Let them study what they want!
Strengthen Pre-primary schools: This should be our fundamental right. The access level of 11.2% is pathetic. Spend minimum of 5% of GDP towards this segment. Access & Quality should be the mantra. Writing should start from age 6. Education should be entertaining at Primary levels.
Go for the best talents in educational sector: Today, teaching is not a career of choice, but of compromise. Pay nuts – Get monkeys! Despite the fact that education is a money-minting industry in service sector, its workers are the least paid. Let’s change it.
World-class infrastructure: Schools & Colleges with libraries that has wide range of books, laboratories that house qualitative equipments, classrooms with more space and air, audio-video presentations, teacher to student ratio of 1:30 make a world class infrastructure for education.
Provide Education that encourages innovation and creativity: Evaluation should not be on basis of memory but on application and aptitude. Vocational courses, Presentations in seminars, group discussions, and Poster creation should be included. Extra curricular & Co-curricular activities should be a part of the syllabus.
One Syllabus for entire country: With the earth becoming flat, the concept of “sons-of-soil” students is dangerous. Students are forced to read 3 or more languages that are useless burden on them. Students should have the freedom to choose the languages they want to learn. Only 2 languages should be taught in the syllabus. Declare an official link language for the country. The different boards like State Board, CBSE, and ICSE should be merged into a single syllabus throughout the country. The Central Govt should accept the responsibility of educating Indians all over! All the universities should be linked and governed by an autonomous body centrally.
Flexible Option of subjects: Students should choose themselves the subjects they intend to learn. Do not group the subjects and restrict the options. This should start from higher secondary (after 10th).
Meritocracy: Reservation should be implemented only at the primary education level and not throughout the career. Seats can be reserved but should be filled in by deserving candidates only.
Businessmen &Politicians are to be kept away from Educational institutions and Syllabus selection as their prime goal is to make money and confuse people. Let corporate bodies sponsor but should not have a say in the routines.
Education builds a man and a nation. Unfortunately, we are not concerned about quality of the human-capital we build. To make India strong, we need to produce visionaries and not bureaucrats, professionals or clerks. A renaissance in the system has to happen as to achieve this.
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