Educating India?

Recently, we are listening of all the plans of Kapil Sibal, our honourary HRD minister, of revamping the education system of our country. And it is including all kinds of different methods, from eliminating the marking system and introducing grading system, decreasing the board exams to singular, and on the bigger stage, allowing foreign universities, and uniting all the schools under one board are quite motivating for a ministry which was long ignored by the government. Seriously, the last time I heard of any change in education system was the introduction of the OBC quota, which didn’t go well with me. But again, that is a different issue I don’t wish to comment on.

Some people also speculated that Kapil Sibal is moving way too fast than supposed. On this thought, I remember an article by Shekhar Gupta, some days later, titled “Babuji Dheere Chalna” becoming the anthem of our society. Clearly, when we have an important ministry under a person highly educated, we are bound to see such changes coming by.
What even astonished me, that the board exams which were reduced in standards from the time I gave exams, were again re-patterned to introduce some innovation compelling the students to think of what they are studying. Clearly, marks will not alone matter because, the marks are vanished. So, read to gain knowledge, not marks.
Speculations are important part of an democratic country. It helps in the betterment of the society. I was reading a editorial in Indian Express titled “The Marketplace Of Ideas” by Mr. D. Raja discussing the after effects of the redesigning of the Indian educational system. Clearly, an in-depth knowledge and far sightedness can lead to such articles. And I totally affirm with the predicament of the salaried middle-class people. But while reading, I thought, is it “wrong” of HRD ministry, or the psychology of the people. And I will discuss more about this, rather than giving a decision on the decisions.

For a long time, we are seeing the importance of brand-name over knowledge. Getting admissions in the public schools, coached in the best institutes, then IITs, IIMs. The knowledge period starts from a time when the child is just learning its own being. Pre-nursery, nursery, LKG, UKG, school, graduation, post-graduation, the list never ends. And all the parents need the best. If asked, what is best? Most people don’t know the actual reason.

I am not talking about IIT or IIM here. They are the topmost college not for their name only. The curriculum is very tough and is designed specifically to bring out the best. Day-night classes, assignments, two exams in a day. It is a fanatic race of educationists. Clearly, the students deserve big bucks for all the efforts they have put to clear the exams. But is clearing the exam enough to judge a person of his capabilities? If yes, then how many IITians become scientists and how many IIMians become future business leaders? And if IITs have so terrific curriculum, then why most of them choose IIMs, and the biggest question mark, how do companies prefer such people?

The success of a student clearly depends how much he can absorb from the environment. If a student who is liking what he is doing, he will definitely do good, no matter what his alma-mater is. And when we are talking about schools, the differences sublime. I have seen many idiots from top public schools, and many excellent students from government schools. Leaving the fame, we should stress on the quality of the education and the abilities of the child. Let him choose the right path, let parents help him to choose his destiny. When he will do what he likes, he will definitely prosper in it. And that is how, a better workforce will be built for the country.
Recently, there is a beautiful film released which dealt with this question mark in its ulterior. And I clearly remember, “Baccha kaabil ban, kamyabi jhak maar ke piche ayegi”. Go for excellence, success will follow you. And to the larger part of the audience who believe this part is unachievable, the fact is that it is true.