It was a Monday morning I woke up at 6:00 AM, got ready for office. Call it Monday blues for others but for me Monday’s are s different type of race. Race to get to the main road, catch a cab (cabbies dont want to go short distance ~6 KM <60 INR), board a local train to Andheri station run from there too to catch an Auto or Bus; where there is already a big line! Seriously, at times I feel “life is a race” (reminds me of a dialog in movie 3 idiots), no one knows race for what and where! The story does not end here. Whenever I cross NALCO (a stop for buses in Andheri East area), I see kids walking to school. One thought comes to my mind – these kids too have their office! That office is called school.
At least till 8th standard, I don’t remember if I had gone to school, after exams for 1 full month of April month. My niece, she is not even 5 years finished her LKG in March; goes to her office (e.g. school) at 8:00 AM in April Month – yes she is in UKG now – she has got promoted! In our offices too we have a system of promotion (at least examination in March-April) isn’t it?
This does not seem to me as education – we are making machines. My sister teaches in a school – I asked her what is the purpose of education? Why are you a teacher? Her response was unconventional. She said I want to make the kids expand their horizons. I added do you think schooling is doing it right? She had a mixed response.
I feel forcing kids to school is not education, it can at best be schooling. Here please think of “Schooling” – as a verb! Such as training a horse for Showjumping!
6 Comments
Rummuser · April 20, 2014 at 5:24 am
I have never had to rush to anything ever in my life. I simply left home well in time so that I could reach wherever I had to comfortably and in a relaxed frame of mind. And I have travelled the world over, caught many international flights and have been in many traffic jams in places you have never heard of. The problem is not with education. The problem is with our young being bombarded with gadgets and not getting enough sleep and rest. I know young people including my son and daughter in law who get enough sleep and reach their places of work on time without any hassle because they go to sleep early and get up early and do not do too much on twitter, facebook and so on. Think about it young Pravin.
admin · April 23, 2014 at 4:50 am
Dear uncleji, this is a general observation about kids. I dont remember going to school in summers. Now a 4.5 year something goes to school. Why? She doesn’t know. I studied in Hindi medium – I learnt my ABC in 6th Standard (age9+ years). She a <5 year can recite ABC, write it and there are expectations (not by her parents they are equally caring), expectations that she will attend school daily! School authorities want that. I saw project of a 10 year girl, in her project report Ph value of some chemical was written! Give me a break - She does not even know what PH means forget PH value as some measurement... give them chance to enjoy life, give them chance to explore what exactly they want to do!
Till 10th my parents never forced me to study (they wanted me to do well, but they never forced me). I played basketball, Football represented my Division, played track and field events and was in NCC (Best cadet). 11th I learnt myself without education (studies) I am not going anywhere; better get to it seriously. That was my own revelation not forced on me. However, may be I was wrong - one does not need an MBA to start a business and Write brothers were not Engineers by profession (check Wiki)!
Now we see kids in uniform going to school early morning not knowing why they should be deprived of playing and enjoying their time. By this education system we are only creating horse for showjumping, in fact in many cases we are trying to make a fish also a horse, a lion also a horse. All this reminds me of some twit or some message somewhere – “I did engineering because everyone was doing it. Only “after engineering” I realized I should have been an Actor/musician or a businessman!” This is problem of our education system – we are just busy creating showjumping horses.
kanika · April 21, 2014 at 6:24 am
well i think..its all about one’s thought process..life educates you every day with a new lesson a new experience that makes you grow personally and professionally.. the school called life gives us knowledge with practical experiences.. barring few areas today’s modernity isn’t education, its nothing but a mere pomp and show.. people are become modern in their living yet their thinking remains small.. people pray to Goddess Durga and Kali yet women are not being given due respect.. eve tease, sexual abuse and what not..even the most educated people support the dowry system in today’s world.. they can live-in and sleep with a girl before marriage..but when it comes to the reality they want dowry saying its their culture..they want girls to have ghoonghats, should leave their jobs and stay with their parents..if a girl says anything she is being aggressive and doesn’t know how to talk but if the boy says anything he has all the rights..today’s generation is so much connected with these socially networking sites and pretty open about everything of their life..i say there isn’t harm but be sure before you trust someone on such sites as it can be disastrous.. Schooling is nothing but the right education of thoughts!
admin · April 23, 2014 at 4:38 am
Dear Kanika, I agree with you – life and the world is a teacher and a school. My opinion is on a level where our education system is making the kids feel as if schools are a liability. I believe you also agree to that point. Is learning a fun for kids? Are they not forced to go to school? A baby of 2 years goes to Playschool then the rigmarole starts from formal schools. I agree with your opinion on the hypocrisy of modernity and cultural clutches on which we sell our so called – heritage of religion!
Agreed – school is right education of thoughts “and action”.
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