I am sure everyone must have heard this line at least once while growing up. It is just one of the many examples of how our Indian education system is flawed. It is centered around theoretical knowledge and the aged marking system of passing the exams. I agree that theory will shape your knowledge but can never be enough for shaping skills that reality seeks. Like, theories can introduce you to a strategy; suppose you want to drive a car. Any person who is well versed with driving a car can teach you the functioning of clutch, accelerator, brake and the gear set, but without any practical application you cannot master the technique of actually driving it.
According to a global survey conducted in 74 countries, India was ranked 73rd in terms of quality of education, while China got the top spot. The focus on key skill-building and extra-curricular activities are some more drawbacks of the Indian education system. Due to these defects, our students lack basic competencies and out of the box thinking. They are forced to thrive academically with predefined standards and expectations laid down by others. Many times family and social pressures also force students to opt for streams that they do not even prefer. Eventually the curriculum, instructional delivery, and influences force students to use cramming techniques just to score better in exams.
The objective of education is to educate and empower people to achieve desired success in their lives. Not every kid wants to become a rocket scientist when s/he grows up, he or she may want to become a poet, or a singer, or a sportsperson, or a public speaker. The issue with our current system of education in India is that all these students will have to study the same subjects and go through the same method of education even though many of the subjects being taught will be of no relevance to them a few years down the line. Of course, basic literacy is necessary, but making them study the same subjects for 10 long years before they can actually opt for a field of study looks like an outdated provision.
With today’s social-media oriented and tech-savvy generation, there is a need for skill-based education. It has a number of advantages. Skill-based learning always helps to keep the students very focused and engaged in their education. The concept of skill-based learning holds a large significance in determining the future of Indian education.
The need of the hour is to develop a system wherein kids are not forced to be showpieces of their hard work in the form of a grading system. Allow them to be curious, ask questions, and take up subjects they are really interested in early in their careers. Technology can play a vital role in the learning process. With the advent of audio-visual aids, smart-boards, online content, and connected classrooms, the job seems to be getting easier. Students nowadays have more means to learn via interactive ways than ever. Understanding concepts and retaining matter is easier. It’s high time India starts investing in more modernized methods of teaching (and learning). The government along with teachers and parents needs to work together on this to start implementing it at the base level.
