A recent survey conducted by the ADC found that 50 per cent of the city’s youngsters felt the Indian education system did not prepare them for their respective careers. Gayatri Sahasrabuddhe talks to some of them to find out more
A common complaint that you will hear from most youngsters when it comes to the Indian education system is the concentration on theory and the lack of individually focussed development. ADC’s survey presented a mixed bag of reactions on what youngsters today feel about the Indian education system.
In fact, according to the survey conducted, 50 per cent of students felt that the Indian education system didn’t prepare them for their respective careers.
Shocking and sad, as it makes us wonder what exactly the Indian education system is actually preparing students’ for? What exactly are children spending most of their time doing in schools and colleges if they aren’t being prepared for their future careers or actually ‘learning’ or developing their skills and talent?
“I think the Indian education system is very theoretical. I think a practical Indian work environment can teach one a lot more than books or written material. The education system doesn’t add more than a degree, frankly what I learnt in school and college to a certain extent just imparted civic and social sense, career wise it really hasn’t made a noticeable difference. I think it only helped to let people know that I’m educated,” says Event Manager Irfan Morbiwala (27).
This is a fact that resounded with many city youngsters that we spoke to during the course of our interactions. Most emphasized how school was all about mugging and ‘puking’ it all out during the exams. In fact many claimed they didn’t even remember most of the things they studied back then, probably because the focus was never on actually learning but just a matter of how much was memorized and produced during the examinations!
Vinay Butani (26) a Senior Associate with a law firm, opined, echoing the frustration evident among the youngsters we spoke to, “In India, the education system has become extremely rigid, giving no space to follow one’s heart. It has become a burden on today’s children even though it gives them education; the children have to lead a strict life with their main aim being to get higher marks. And the only ones who are gaining out of this education mockery are the coaching classes. It’s just like saying that every kid playing cricket will become Sachin. But what they forget is Sachin followed his passions and his parents allowed him to follow them.”
But not everyone agreed with the negative assessment and evaluation of their educational experience. Quite a few were happy and satisfied with what the education system offered them. “Our schooling and education system has been the foundation and base for our careers and future. It has been the most important education of all,” said young college student Maya Agashe (21).
City teacher Meera Rajwade who has worked with children for over 27 years and understands the children and system both says, “The format of question papers and examining systems need to be modified to extract the best from students. Sports, music, dance should actively be included in the school syllabus, a little break from studies not only keeps a child’s mind alert for a longer time but also hones his talents in other departments.”
So while the opinions may vary, there is always room for improvement and there is much that needs to be done, to improve the average Indian’s educational experience. It is a slow and arduous process, but one that must begin nonetheless.
In my opinion the student must be more exposed to debates, project work with group discussions based on them and written tests that compel him to wear his thinking cap. This helps in vocal expressions, forming opinions, putting forward your point of view, developing the ability to see things in a different perspective and to gain confidence. Project work teaches the student how to do research work. In school, all project works are sadly often done by parents who unknowingly do more damage since the child remains quite ignorant about the subject matter. When this person enters higher levels of education, he flounders and feels inadequate. All careers are based on how knowledgeable a candidate is about his subject and how proficient he is in expressing himself and putting things across.”
—Meera Rajwade, Senior Teacher
A common complaint that you will hear from most youngsters when it comes to the Indian education system is the concentration on theory and the lack of individually focussed development. ADC’s survey presented a mixed bag of reactions on what youngsters today feel about the Indian education system.
In fact, according to the survey conducted, 50 per cent of students felt that the Indian education system didn’t prepare them for their respective careers.
Shocking and sad, as it makes us wonder what exactly the Indian education system is actually preparing students’ for? What exactly are children spending most of their time doing in schools and colleges if they aren’t being prepared for their future careers or actually ‘learning’ or developing their skills and talent?
“I think the Indian education system is very theoretical. I think a practical Indian work environment can teach one a lot more than books or written material. The education system doesn’t add more than a degree, frankly what I learnt in school and college to a certain extent just imparted civic and social sense, career wise it really hasn’t made a noticeable difference. I think it only helped to let people know that I’m educated,” says Event Manager Irfan Morbiwala (27).
This is a fact that resounded with many city youngsters that we spoke to during the course of our interactions. Most emphasized how school was all about mugging and ‘puking’ it all out during the exams. In fact many claimed they didn’t even remember most of the things they studied back then, probably because the focus was never on actually learning but just a matter of how much was memorized and produced during the examinations!
Vinay Butani (26) a Senior Associate with a law firm, opined, echoing the frustration evident among the youngsters we spoke to, “In India, the education system has become extremely rigid, giving no space to follow one’s heart. It has become a burden on today’s children even though it gives them education; the children have to lead a strict life with their main aim being to get higher marks. And the only ones who are gaining out of this education mockery are the coaching classes. It’s just like saying that every kid playing cricket will become Sachin. But what they forget is Sachin followed his passions and his parents allowed him to follow them.”
But not everyone agreed with the negative assessment and evaluation of their educational experience. Quite a few were happy and satisfied with what the education system offered them. “Our schooling and education system has been the foundation and base for our careers and future. It has been the most important education of all,” said young college student Maya Agashe (21).
City teacher Meera Rajwade who has worked with children for over 27 years and understands the children and system both says, “The format of question papers and examining systems need to be modified to extract the best from students. Sports, music, dance should actively be included in the school syllabus, a little break from studies not only keeps a child’s mind alert for a longer time but also hones his talents in other departments.”
So while the opinions may vary, there is always room for improvement and there is much that needs to be done, to improve the average Indian’s educational experience. It is a slow and arduous process, but one that must begin nonetheless.