As the Chinese proverb says- Learning is a treasure that will follow its owner everywhere. True to this is Albert Einstein's thought- Wisdom is not a product of schooling but of the lifelong attempt to acquire it. The Indian secondary students clock in 21 days more than students in other countries, each day with classes lasting for a total of six hours.
The fifth-grade students in Indian schools spend 200 days in school, with a total of 800 hours of classes and students between the sixth and eighth grades get 1000 hours, across 220 school days. Does the discussion suffice our understanding of the time spent at schools and real life learning, now that’s the question. Technically it does help one learn what the academic set-ups aim to provide in the curriculum which is a job-provider in the long run. But is this system also supporting one’s basic survival? Are we able to become independent? Are we able to adapt ourselves to extremities? Have we learnt enough? Are we life ready in real terms?
If Dr APJ Abdul Kalam, an eminent Scientist and the most loved President of our country met his death during his public speech on a Podium, could the so called Educated literates around him not save him with a CPR (Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation) Did they need only Qualified Doctors to perform a simple life saving technique, I wish our schools taught us that over a Games period.
We say Time is Money, our time is spent on our qualifications so as to have a career which earns us enough money, but are we taught how to save money or budgeting in early schooling times? We plan mutual funds, Insurance at retirement when we know that life is uncertain, why would we not know about them in our early teens when pocket money is received?
Cooking being the basic essence of survival is a common source of learning, then why is it restricted to gender or age as a factor? Swimming, Cycling, Driving, Self-defence moves or even to mention Sustainable Environmental initiatives, hygiene or fine mannerisms-Why haven’t they been a part of one’s lifestyle that Education could impart. Why haven’t institutions trained leaders to be effective politicians?
Democracy has to not only be valued but also utilised to the fullest. From the Stone age to the techno stat era, we must evolve more without losing the core human values. The Psychometric test is the new buzz without which A R Rahman or Sachin Tendulkar became World famous. Embarking with basic activities for a career path should certainly be by default and not imposed. To attain knowledge, one should add things and be elated. It's time to take action and be the best version of oneself.
Articulated by
Hema N
Assistant Professor
RV P U College
Bangalore