Nilacharal

It is quite often remarked that investment in education is tantamount to investing in shaping the destiny of a nation's future. We have come a long way (54 years) after our Independence. We have rid the nation from the shackles of colonial rule. But have we got our systems rid of ills that we have inherited from the West? At the outset, it is to be stressed that the author is neither against infusing western practices into our system nor against the Establishment. The crux is that unless we refine and accept things which Would suit our country we would not be enjoying "total independence". Purna Swaraj still evades us.

When we got political freedom fifty four years ago, we accepted certain systems founded and perpetuated by the British without indianising them. We did not realise the impending disaster then. One among them is the present education system that we foist on our children with scant regard for what they ought to know. As the lifeline conduit for effective transformation of society is 'genuine' education, the failure of such a powerful tool to deliver the goods to society and the nation can not be winked at. Education and literacy are quite often swapped in their usage, and the distinction between these two has to be borne in mind before accepting or rejecting the views that are shared here.

The objective is not to undermine the present education system in toto but To give a clarion call to overhaul it. The ills of the present system outweigh The benefits that accrue from it and it necessitates a thread-bare analysis. The failure of the present education system is amply clear if we try to see who are the role models of the present generation and the level of sycophancy followed at every level. The 83rd Amendment to make the primary education a fundamental right for every child in India is touted for quite sometime. All discussions about universalisation of education and right to fundamental education up to the age of fourteen would not make sense if we do not re-orient our education process in order to achieve what we want by offering education to all.

Literate or Educated?

Education must enable one to introspect and aid in self-realisation. This Would improve the potential of an individual. A good education must lay stress on three important modes of thinking - curious, critical, and creative. A good education must eliminate prejudices and help in making decisions based on a rational and dispassionate analysis. An individual has to be taught to accept his limitations and the ways to overcome them. Education must safeguard an individual from deterrence of failures and must insist on going after success by pursuing it in right direction. One should be made to understand the power of hard work and perseverance. All these require training of the mind and attitudes. As these vital aspects are missing, the products of the present education system lack self-confidence, determination, maturity, emotional stability, daring qualities, and are scourged with indecision

Do we want everyone to simply read and write or do we want to "educate" the masses so that they would take part in the nation building effort? If the school and college education do not properly shape an individual and offer opportunities for a reasonable living then that person when thrown into mainstream life is going to cause more harm to society and the nation than any good. Such is the sensitivity of education which is well substantiated by the wide spread despondency among the youth, unabated degradation in the moral fabric of the nation, increasing violence, and terrorism. Without gauging the seriousness of the issue, we are attacking symptoms of the disease and not the cause of it. There is a paramount need to have an impeccable education system and there Can be no room for any compromise and complacency. ....more