Education a word which had utmost importance in this flat world.This the same word which helped in making this round world flat.It facilitated people to use technology as it is and evolve it . But what does this word "Education" mean.As defined by dictionary.com
ed·u·ca·tion [ej-oo-key-shuh
n] Pronunciation Key - Show IPA Pronunciation –noun | 1. | the act or process of imparting or acquiring general knowledge, developing the powers of reasoning and judgment, and generally of preparing oneself or 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. |
lit·er·a·cy [lit-er-uh-see] Pronunciation Key
–noun
So taking the discussion forward what are we churning out in form of grads each year from our colleges and schools.Are they educated individuals or just literate individuals?| 1. | the quality or state of being literate, esp. the ability to read and write. |
| 2. | possession of education: to question someone's literacy. |
| 3. | a person's knowledge of a particular subject or field: to acquire computer literacy |
I believe certainly the second!!As the above definition stated education means imparting ability to reason and make judgment.Are the thousands of graduates we produce able to reason ? Are they intellectually strong enough to take sound decisions?
We are giving students who have read , learn things , vomit them out and then forgot but at no point the thing was understood.The concept , the reasoning , the philosophy behind is never understood.
It is not the student to be blamed since he is doing what he is asked to do!!How many times our teachers do teach the students why a thing was created ? Why we needed it ? What is the principle behind its development ? What we are taught and asked is history,dates as if these dates are dates of battle of plassey!!!
If i take an example of computer a word so extensively used in present world.In engineering we had subjects which are not related..One subject talked about proceesors while other taught us Operating system but the realtion between are two are left for u to find.I question here cannot we link these things? Why is it that one subject is to be taught in complete isolation to other ?
In life eveything is bound by a cause and effect relation and if we teach people this relation they understand better.
During our complete schooling we are taught history which everyone hates.But then as we grow old we take decisions on basis our experience which is an extension of the historical events that occurred.So if i delibrate over this in mind history become the most important subject of all the subjects taught in school.But can our teachers put this point for the students to understand.
What we are told is history is to be crammed.It is a subject of rote!!But all these myths can be easily shattered only if we have papers where students are made to apply their reasoning.Only if we had paper which questions students reasons for each event and their interpretation of such events.
When we have such a system in place we automatically filter those who are not suitable to move up the ladder.We do not need any more reservations.Since then it is a level playing field.
Having said this if i go back and look at the meaning of this word education i have this inkling that this word itself represents the problem we have in education.
Is education imparting vocational information or skills to think intellectually ? What is it education is trying in our country ?At present it is giving vocational information but not intellectual knowledge.
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