This is a multi-part series of articles where I have tried to summarize the problems with Indian education and possible solutions. These articles will be continuously edited-updated. Comments-contributions are welcome.
Purpose of education
The purpose of education should answer the 'why' ? Why education? Why should I get educated myself or get my child educated? Why should government invest time and effort on it?
Education enables and empowers, in multiple ways. For individuals, it helps
1. To earn his livelihood - acquire skills that may be useful in earning money. e.g. learning how to drive a car, learning how to program in C, learning English.
2. To be able to find information and knowledge, that might be necessary for him, on his own. This may include learning how to read and comprehend, how to write and express demand, and how to calculate and determine. This also includes how to use books/internet to find answers, information.
For example, an educated man should be able to find a necessary bit of information, (like, where is the nearest hospital,) on his own. To understand what the disease is, he should be able to comprehend. To estimate what the expenses could be, he should be able to do maths And he should know how to find more information, through books or internet. All of this, without being dependent on any body else. That's how education can empower.
3. To live a healthy life. Hygiene, nutrition, exercise, yoga, environmental science and basics of disease prevention.
4. To develop his personality - to have a sense of judgment, understand the importance of hard-work, discipline and handling responsibility. Also to help him realize his talent/potential and develop it.
And for the society,
1. To make citizens out of men and women. People who have civic sense and social responsibility. People who understand that its not right to damage public property, who believe that following the rules is important. People who drive safely. People who throw garbage only in garbage cans.
2. To find individuals who can lead the society - socially and politically. To find leaders. They are the ones who can take responsibility to introduce change. Who see the bigger picture. People who can get help enforce rules and get rule breakers punished. People who can get garbage cleaned. And the garbage cans installed.
3. To find individuals who can take the human civilization ahead. These are the Einsteins-Newtons-Darwins, fire discoverer and first wheel maker. Innovators, inventors, explorers and discoverers. Creators of new knowledge.
As we can see, all of these are necessary. And if a society-civilization ignores any/more of these, it is doomed to extinction (or being conquered by others). Education is one good, institutionalized, effective and widely accepted way of achieving them
Part-2 : Contemporary observations and reviews
Purpose of education
The purpose of education should answer the 'why' ? Why education? Why should I get educated myself or get my child educated? Why should government invest time and effort on it?
Education enables and empowers, in multiple ways. For individuals, it helps
1. To earn his livelihood - acquire skills that may be useful in earning money. e.g. learning how to drive a car, learning how to program in C, learning English.
2. To be able to find information and knowledge, that might be necessary for him, on his own. This may include learning how to read and comprehend, how to write and express demand, and how to calculate and determine. This also includes how to use books/internet to find answers, information.
For example, an educated man should be able to find a necessary bit of information, (like, where is the nearest hospital,) on his own. To understand what the disease is, he should be able to comprehend. To estimate what the expenses could be, he should be able to do maths And he should know how to find more information, through books or internet. All of this, without being dependent on any body else. That's how education can empower.
3. To live a healthy life. Hygiene, nutrition, exercise, yoga, environmental science and basics of disease prevention.
4. To develop his personality - to have a sense of judgment, understand the importance of hard-work, discipline and handling responsibility. Also to help him realize his talent/potential and develop it.
And for the society,
1. To make citizens out of men and women. People who have civic sense and social responsibility. People who understand that its not right to damage public property, who believe that following the rules is important. People who drive safely. People who throw garbage only in garbage cans.
2. To find individuals who can lead the society - socially and politically. To find leaders. They are the ones who can take responsibility to introduce change. Who see the bigger picture. People who can get help enforce rules and get rule breakers punished. People who can get garbage cleaned. And the garbage cans installed.
3. To find individuals who can take the human civilization ahead. These are the Einsteins-Newtons-Darwins, fire discoverer and first wheel maker. Innovators, inventors, explorers and discoverers. Creators of new knowledge.
As we can see, all of these are necessary. And if a society-civilization ignores any/more of these, it is doomed to extinction (or being conquered by others). Education is one good, institutionalized, effective and widely accepted way of achieving them
Part-2 : Contemporary observations and reviews
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