It would not be
an easy task to define Education System; rather I would start with an
understanding of the entities involved in the education system and interactions
between them. Assuming that “Education” starts only at educational institutes,
that itself becomes one of the primary entities of the education system.
Students, Teachers, Subjects, Syllabus, Classrooms can be seen as other primary
entities.
The
concept of education dates back to Indus Valley Civilization. Then and even
now, these entities have remained the same. But the interactions, need, style
and methodologies of interactions has either evolved or simply changed over
time due to social, political, scientific and cultural reasons. I would call
these reasons as secondary entities.
Further,
educational classrooms itself took various definitions; from Indus
valley as Veda paata in gurukulas to madraasa of Mughals to schools and
collages of British, along with the changes in subjects, syllabus and so on.
The question posed inhere is not which one of these are right. The question is
what combination of these would best suite the current needs of the society and
country.
With
the advent of British rule, the scope of teachers has been limited to the
boundaries of educational institutes, unlike monarchal times; where the
teachers made major political decisions, took responsibility of the king
himself and hence the society. Due to this limitation, the value and quality of
the very profession took reverse direction leading to poor quality in students
- cascading to social and political downfall in terms of ethics,
responsibility, moral values and expertise in various fields.
At
the same time on a positive front, British system of education gives an
opportunity and capability to interact with the global world as equals. The
competitive nature pushes the smartest, fittest up the economic wheel. The idea
of providing a same ground for all the players rules out reservation. However
in India,
this came along with reservation; over time cast and creed has become the
canopy of current education system.
I
call here, inviting you to speak, debate and try solving various issues and
also try to strengthen the positives of current education system.
Pranam to all debaters.
ReplyDeleteAparinith:Today's education system don't have any need, style and methodology why am telling this means without any these how is it possible to give good and innovative education to students.
Nice to talk about Education. Thank you Anweekshiki. Hello to all the debaters
ReplyDeleteLot of loopholes, lot of advantages, lot of discussion yet to happen. Aparinitha has pointed that
"Today's education system don't have any need, style and methodology".
I go one step backwards and ask you Aparinitha and the rest, don't you think we should start from defining "Education" itself??
As per my understanding education is to provide platform for earning money?
Platform for earning money!!!!!!! thats what they say....
ReplyDeletejust an introspect, it is supposed be a way to obtain knowledge and to learn how things are and work.
Current education system is horribly focused on what you should learn or study to get a good job and to get money(atleast thats what ppl think it is!!), but really is it??
Are we entirely in agreement that education needs a rejig?? is it even possible??
May be we will see atleast 80 percent (simple) literates in next 100 or 200 years...
But i hardly think it is possible to reform what we have, no one will come forth for a total reformation. The syllabus and the educational pattern is actually very interactive even today and is getting more interactive.
But the problem is the medium through which it is reaching the children. Here medium is not the language but the people who are teaching kids. Teaching for the sake of salary or for the sake of teaching is killing. If you want to teach you must enjoy and create curious minds for the future who can tackle all sort of problems and who can learn anything they find questionable.....but is it possible??? can we change the way we teach??? can we teach them to learn how to learn!!!
I feel the education system today is perfectly fine. there is no need for any reformation. This discussion is of no use for, it wont lead to any useful conclusion.
ReplyDeleteHello! Aparinitha,Sarwa-agnaani,Bloody baron and to all. Before going to actual disputation,i would like to say thanks to 'ANWEEKSHIKI' for purveying this platform to discuss about current Education System - Right or Wrong?
ReplyDeleteWell!! 'Education'- means man making and giving better future. Current Education system is also having good intends and also erroneous. Here i like to go against;Today's Education system is merely dependent on earning money (as Sarwa-agnaani mentioned),not for the knowledge sake and even teachers,teaching for the sake of salary (as bloody baron pointed). Education institutes not providing a platform to 'THINK' & to 'INNOVATE'!! instead they giving loads of pressure to students and they restricted in their boundaries i.e., they must be with in the syllabus.
as per my knowledge current education system is not creating inquisitive minds to learn.is it not??
@Nishachara:I totally disagree with your words.
ReplyDeletecan you give me logical reasons, how today's education system is fine??
Hello! Nishachara-Current Education system is not in the perfect direction (how can you say it's fine? I except reasons from you?). I think you need perfect lucid on current education system. If you'r satisfied with current education system means, zip your mouth don't tell that this discussion won't leads to useful conclusion. I assure you it ends with better n best results gives a way to change current education system into a good,better and best way. Guys have your say?
ReplyDeleteoop oop guys, calm down Mr. Aparinitha and Mr. praje :)
ReplyDeleteI haven't told education today is perfectly fine without reasoning. People today are able to express there views, they are able to stand against right and wrong. If you see recent past, all those who supported and fought for lokpal bill were the products of current education system. Many revolutionary thinkers like Mahatma gandhi, Jawarlal Nehru, Sardar Vallabhai Patel, Sri. M V and so on; are the bi-products of current education system.
Guys you tell me about the flaws and I will say, why isn't it not a flaw. If it is really, I am ready to accept.
Well! Nishachara-I hope you know only about lokpal bill supporters;you are not heard of n sound made by medias about "Mohammed Ajmal Amir Kasab"(Involved in MUMBAI attack).He is the product of current education system. Are we in need of these type of products?? or Is this current education system in a preserve to release these type of products?
ReplyDeleteMohommed Ajmal Amir Kasab couldn't be considered as product of current education system dear praje. He was nurtured and motivated by jihadi terrorist organizations. Secondly, I guess you are aware that we are talking about INDIAN education system and not pakistani. Kindly stick on to that which is INDIAN.
ReplyDelete@nishachara... i totally oppose your view of telling that the current education system is perfect. current education system is full of money if u have money u will get better education otherwise you will not. and also u pointed out that the people have supported THE LOKALPAL BILL,its because they are fed up with current system. And many of the people from rural areas don't know what is LOKPALBILL. And INDIA is a country where people gather for everything. It may be LOKAPALL BILL or world cup.
ReplyDelete@praje:KASAB is not the product of current education system. He is just anti-Indian who want to kill people of INDIA.
Hello people,
ReplyDeleteNishachara, praje, Aparinitha, and the new entry abhiyant are talking about product of education system, and so on. But, I seem to be slightly out of page over here. I have following question in mind.
1. What is education?
2. What is education system?
Here are my views:
1. Education can be defined as a process of knowing what is right and what is wrong.
2. And the systematic step by step methodology to do this, is education system.
Now the next question would be
3. Why one need to know whats right and whats wrong and why do you need a system for that?
Well, we are humans with gray matter, if we cant categorize good and bad - what better are we compared to animals? We need a well defined and proven system in place which takes every individual in correct direction.
This is my view point. please comment on my definition.
Hello!abiyanth,@nishachara
ReplyDeleteReally Sorry,for moving away from the "Indian Education System" topic, It has happened in india so i have mentioned in disputation.
Nishachara: I agree with your points which you'v mentioned:)current education system's perspective is to make money not to give good education. By seeing huge support to lokpal bill we can say people really fed up with current education system,that's why they stood up to resolve.
So,what we need to do? to change the current education system?? r in future are we going to love! what we blame today??
It's reasonable to say the current education system does help people get their basics right, it lack in applicability in real world. Application of the knowledge gained is Education. Education system seems focused on getting students to by heart things than to apply them.
ReplyDeleteI think Sarwa-agnaani made the point by stating education. But, there are many other question for which the time is not right, I shall wait till the time is right for those.
ReplyDeletepraje, I quite dint understand the point you are trying to make. kindly if possible rephrase
Naavika you say "current education system does help people get their basics right". I have two question here
1. What is current education system
2. What is basics
@sarwa-agnaani: According to me education system means not understanding what is wrong? n right?.Even a lay man can judge, what is wrong n right? no need of education here i think.
ReplyDeleteeducation means teaching to utilize wrong n good ways to earn more n more even more. That's what we need in today's society to sustain. Am i right guys?
Education means to understand the things well n to do innovations on those n different things n making is future as better future in all aspects.
@Nishachara: Certainly.,Hello!abiyanth,@nishachara
ReplyDeleteReally Sorry,for moving away from the "Indian Education System" topic, It has happened in india so i have mentioned in disputation.
abiyanth: I agree with your points which you'v mentioned:)current education system's perspective is to make money not to give good education. By seeing huge support to lokpal bill we can say people really fed up with current education system,that's why they stood up to resolve.
So,what we need to do? to change the current education system?? r in future are we going to love! what we blame today??
I mean to say what we need to do to make the things right? are we going to love this education system in future what we blaming now..?
The debate has gone nowhere. There are challenges with online debates but still it helps if we could follow a debating format. For example, it could be:
ReplyDelete1) Debate Topic: What is being debated here? Let us please understand that. What is the PROPOSITION, what is being Proposed?
2) State your stand on the Proposition or the Debate Topic: "Against" or "For" or "Neutral".
3) Contentions: Why do you support or oppose the Proposition? What are your arguments for or against the topic? SUPPORT your argument with appropriate REASON and EVIDENCE.
4) Conclusion: What is your conclusion?
Let us do that the first round. Let us understand where each of us is. Then we can start into REBUTTAL mode where we take key points of differences and propose why we differ in opinion supported by reason and evidence.
So, what is the PROPOSITION for this DEBATE, could it be as simple as: "Current Indian Education System is bad. It needs a major revamp".
Even for this debate, as some of you had rightly attempted, we need to define what we mean by "Current Indian Education System"? It could include its elements like:
a) Syllabus: In terms of Contents, what children learn
b) Structure: How is the content delivered?
c) Self: What difference is it making to the students as a whole?
d) Society : How is it contributing to the society as a whole? what difference is it making?
e) System: Teachers, Admins, Management, Institutional Networks, Ministry etc
Is it complicated? If we do not follow a structure somewhere close to this then we will be debated in the air will get nowhere.
Good Luck.
Example for the structure:
ReplyDelete1) Debate Proposition: "Current Indian Education System is bad. It needs a major revamp".
2) I am FOR the above Proposition. I believe that the Current Indian Education System is not in good shape, I would not tag it as "BAD", but it could be far better than where it is no.
3) Contentions: There are many reasons why I believe that the current education system is not in good shape.
a) Students get to learn very little in terms of what is happening in the world. For example, they continue to learn about "Aryan Invasion Theory" even after it has been disapproved by millions. Students are been shown the wrong map of India etc etc. The current system does not have a way to make quick changes to the syllabus, so what children learn is often out of date.
b) Political Biases: Children learn more of politically approved individuals, for example, there is more about Babu Jagajivan Ram or Ambedkar than Lokamanya Tilak or Sardar Patel. There is little of Subhas Chandra bose compared to Indira Gandhi or Rajiv Gandhi.
e) Children learn more about British Rule, Mughal Conquests than Indian Glories and Epics. Children continue to learn the structure left over by British while the educational systems across the world have evolved by leaps and bounds.
f) Very Little is done to instill pride for the nation and its history. There is very little about glorious Indian culture, heritage, yoga, individuals etc. Children know more about Robert Clive than Purandara Dasa or Krishnadevaraya etc
g) Current Indian Education system focuses excessively on Left Brain - memorizing and exam writing. Very little about overall brain development, very little of creative / lateral thinking, very little of creative innovations.
4) Conclusion: Based on the above arguments I conclude that we need to have a system that is
a) flexible enough to incorporate changes that happen around the world
b) provide up-to-date information
c) instill pride for the nation, culture, heritage, and people
d) focus on a more balanced, whole-brain oriented education system. Since the current system does not have these and more, it needs a complete revamp.
Debate of Education Vs Schooling
ReplyDelete--------------------------------
There are many ways of defining "Education". One way is to look at the roots. "Education" comes from the word "EDUCO" which means “lead forth, take out; raise up, erect; lead, conduct”. So, the true meaning of EDUCATION is to BRING OUT THE BEST OF THE INDIVIDUALS FROM WITHIN, to help them lead their lives. It is an INSIDE-OUT process.
If we were to look at the alternative definitions of the word, they are:
1) the act / process of imparting / acquiring general knowledge, developing the powers of reasoning and judgment, and generally of preparing oneself / others intellectually for mature life.
2) the act or process of imparting or acquiring particular knowledge or skills, as for a profession.
3) a degree, level, or kind of schooling: a university education.
4) the result produced by instruction, training, or study: to show one's education.
5) the science or art of teaching; pedagogics
Does our education system bring out the best in the students? I do not think it does, so I continue to argue that the current education system is inefficient, insufficient, and inadequate as it focuses on Exams, Marks, Teaching, and Dependent Learning - an Outside-In process which is the exact opposite of what education could be.
So, what we have is a SCHOOLING system where the focus in on TEACHING rather than LEARNING. Learning is a by-product while teaching is the focus. So, the current education system is based on Schooling, thus making student dependent.
The true evidence for this can be found in students attending dreaded TUITIONs outside the school. Almost 100% of the students attend tuitions for their 10th and 12th classes. A true education system is self sufficient.
This needs a real change. Focus needs to shift from marks to knowledge and experience. How can we do it is the next question!
In the above two posts I have written about the education system as a whole. Now, I shift the focus of my argument on one of the key elements of the system - the Teachers.
ReplyDeleteOne of the biggest challenges in the current education system is the lack of quality teachers. Number of schools are increasing exponentially but the number of qualified teachers is decreasing at the same pace or faster. Teachers have degrees but lack quality of experience, attitude, skills or passion. The quality of testing the qualification of teachers is also worsening.
For example, my house maid Selvi is training to be a Nursery School teacher. I have seen her prescribed book. Questions are provided in advance and even with those questions she struggles to understand basic things like "diet" or "safety". Now, she goes on to become a teacher. What can you expect from her? I would like to see people like her grow up the ladder but then that does not mean we push them up the ladder and spoil our kids.
Example 2, a significant number of teachers are getting the required "qualification" through distance or correspondence education system. The qualifying criteria in these programs are not very strong, as such the output quality is a severe compromise. They will have the degree certificates but not the qualities expected of a teacher.
Example 3, in our recent visit a school, we found that children were supposed to do a science project. When we interacted with the teachers they seemed interested but they had no idea about what to do. The students had ideas but the teachers could not even appreciate those ideas. Teachers who lack knowledge not only are handicapped by their ability to help children, but they also put-down, stall the initiatives of these children so as to not expose the inadequacies in the teachers.
Next issue with teachers is to do with pay. Salary is becoming a huge issue because very few are motivated by passion and love for their profession. Choice of profession is dictated more by the prospects of earning money. Teachers in most places are paid very poorly, as a result fewer and fewer are opting to be teachers. As such more and more people are moving to higher paying jobs like IT or Call Center Jobs or MBA jobs or Real Estate and such.
So, the system needs a fix in many ways. Quality of teachers coming out of teacher training institutions need to be high. Teachers need to be paid better so that more teachers with passion enter the system. This is not currently happening.
So, I continue to argue that the current education system is not in a good shape. The bad news is it is getting worse by the day, and it will get into a more pathetic state very soon unless something is done about it.
@Vidura:
ReplyDeleteYou mean to say Current Education System needs improvement. And that we have to use proper Techniques/Tools for its improvement?
@Chandrahaasa,
ReplyDeleteTechniques/TOols? where did that figure in my writing, even though these are also needed. None of my contentions were around the externalities, such as tools and techniques, but the very aspects that are inherent / innate in the system.
Sorry guys for a long gap. I was held up with certain activities and could not get back. Welcome Vidura and chandrahaasa.
ReplyDelete@Vidura, that was a long writeup as usual :), yet certainly an eye opener about the hands on experiences you have shared. Just like your lengthy writings are usual, I have some usual questions about it.
1. You have spoken about History suffering from updation. Aryan invasion theory is also one of the historic theories, should that not thought to kids?
2. Babu Jagajivan Ram or Ambedkar or Indira Gandhi or Rajiv Gandhi might might be politically approved individuals for you. Subhas Chandra bose or Lokamanya Tilak or Sardar Patel might be politically approved individuals for other. How do you propose to resolve this issue?
3. Current education system has seen people like Sir M V, Sir C V Raman and many similar in the field of science. And science is not at all suffering from updation, which history does as per you.
4. You spoke about teachers and their quality. You are perfectly right about this aspect. Surely, training teachers also be a part of education system.
@praje
We are here to discuss if the changes are needed or not. Neither I am sure what can be done about current education sytem or is there a need for something to be done? Lets discuss and debate to come to that conclusion and solution.
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDelete