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Quest
An ailing system
Sharada Kumaraswamy
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Students are torn between interest in their studies and the pressure to perform. In the situation what is the role that parents and teachers play?
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Can schooling be made more enjoyable?
Twinkle, Twinkle litter star ...
These familiar words sum up the aspirations of many parents from their own little stars (children).
How I wonder what you will be?
There are millions of stars in the sky and most of us do not know what position our children will have in the sky. Which star will they turn out to be? As a parent I often ask myself, what IS education?
Current system
"We live in a world that is technologically advanced," we tell ourselves. We can decide the standard in which the child is studying by merely looking at the size of the bag. Thus the quantum of knowledge can now be measured by weighing the pile of certificates and the size of the last school bag.
Gaps in education
While learning Mathematics and Science may be necessary for earning a livelihood there are other equally important skills for living. Emotional maturity or E.Q is now recognised as being as important as I.Q for success in life.
Parental role
Ideally, parents should fill the gaps in education that are currently unfilled. Nuclear families, and the busy lives of people in the cities have all contributed to a society where most of us have very little inputs from other family members. Says Rekha, a mother of two, "If a day passes when my child does not do her homework there is a remark in her diary or notebook?"
Role of teachers
Rather than drill regimented answers and policing for homework, the teacher should activate the child's curiosity. Many teachers agree that they pass the buck on to the administration or parents for the ills of today's system. Nita has been teaching for 15 years, she says, "When a child has secured 95 per cent marks in history, the parent asks me why the child has missed five marks."
Possible solutions
Liberalising education can be the only solution to this problem. The pressures of tackling and acquiring grades in all subjects at the same time would be reduced, if a child can pass independent exams for different subjects and a qualifying for a school leaving certificate based on the number of subjects cleared. Introduction of greater flexibility in curriculum and exams would go a long way in reducing the stress on children, parents and teachers.
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