The value of education system in India.

Our Education system began with the Gurukuls and the gurus. It was in a way similar to the boarding schools (minus the commercial aspect) which we witness in the present scenario. The guru dakshinas these days are way too high then the olden times. The system that we follow at present was conceptualised in that era and now we have a new changed ‘avtar’ of it.

The value ‘system’ as such is still based on a very strong hierarchical rigid structure.

It is hegemonic in its, major share, as it epitomizes what the imperial forces tried to create. The whole Macaulay’s European structure of studies still overshadows are present day education.

Post independence and pre-independence there has not been major changes in the value system as such. In both the cases the education set up is dominated by the power structures. Earlier, it was the British and now, the central governments. In a way, we have the adults deciding what the children should read.

Over the last 50 years, successive Governments have been committed to achieving the national goal of universal education and has steadily increased the budgetary allocation for education. However, 35% of our adult populations are yet to achieve literacy.

The technical definition of literacy is an ability to read and write. In reality we are creating a whole new brigade who is educated but illiterate. Education moulds you in your life while literacy helps get educated to mould you and your life. So, we have children who are nothing but adults reduced in dimensions. With time the system is worsening in its reach and creativity.

There is an immediate need to revamp the education system which means providing the students with a system that gives them enough space to be themselves. We need to provide them with opportunities and facilities to promote their ideas in new directions.

Ramanujam was a failed ‘student’ because he failed in all subjects other than mathematics. He was invited to England where they tried to teach him modern mathematical theory. All their efforts failed because he had an avalanche of original ideas. When we talk of education system in the present scenario this is what we lack the most. We follow the same set of values, the same way of approaching all children. Without realising that every kid is different from the other.

As A.P.J. Abdul Kalam puts it “Real education enhances the dignity of a human being and increases his or her self-respect. If only the real sense of education could be realized by each individual…the world will be so much a better place to live in.”

There might be so many Ramanujams in India till now. Even the earlier system has failed in recognizing the talent. We need to nurture unique way of thinking in every individual. It is nothing but providing the ground for the nature and nurture to coexist. Our system should nurture what seems to be ingrained in a student naturally.