Hardly few among the student population would have really reckoned the impact of these words in the title. Especially the students from India, just like me. I, for once, have never really focused on knowledge as much as I focused on Marks. Marks helped me gain admission in a reputed college, after school. Marks helped me become eligible to sit in an Interview. It was guiding me forward, only to let me realize what I should have done it earlier!
With the help of marks and good communication skill, the one thing that I really developed right from middle school, I was recruited as a System engineer. What was expected of me is to possess a strong funda, so that the whole process would be a cakewalk. I remember the marks that I had got. But the funda in the exams that I wrote all these years??!! So what have I gained in my 20 years of schooling? More marks than knowledge I should say.
Thus came the enlightenment! I started to brush up my basics, which I should have done, in an effective way, right from school. THIS IS ONE THING THAT IS REALLY MISSING IN THE EDUCATION SYSTEM IN INDIA. The students focus more on marks than on acquiring Knowledge.
While applying for the entrance exams like IIT, AIEEE etc when at school, I felt it funny when I saw the ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA in these examinations was just 50% aggregate. I realized then that it was not the marks but the Knowledge Quotient being expected in these exams. But how to acquire the Knowledge, which I thought was somewhat alien back then.
If you are a person who has this sort of a doubt, the answer is simple. Correlate what you study with whatever happening around you, all over the world. Visualize the bigger picture and ask WHY, HOW, WHAT and WHY NOT to everything you read. Don't worry if your parents or teachers don't have all the answers. You have google to help you always! Yes, "The Age of Information" (Sad that internet was not so popular when I was at school. It was the library that I had access to and the books just made me doze off! A bad carpenter blames his / her tools :P)
The other thing of utmost importance is the "INTEREST TO LEARN" and "THE ENTHUSIASM TO LEARN NEW OR TO UPGRADE YOURSELF". This is one thing which is to be etched into every human to progress. Learn at least one new thing a day, you will feel the enrichment of your knowledge.
I don't wish to completely blame the EDUCATION SYSTEM IN INDIA for these setbacks. The NCERT books provide the right path and approach to gain knowledge! But few / all "state-board" school syllabus are really pathetic! Those are the ones which train students to focus only on gaining marks, reduce the standards of knowledge in the syllabus or curriculum to make sure that more students pass through their exams every year. Well, they pass their examination, but fail to acquire the required knowledge, thereby remaining unemployed or lacking the skills to become employable.
Who is to be blamed for this scenario? The student or the way the education is inculcated in them??
India still sees many first generation school goers. Their only best source of acquiring knowledge is from school. So, THE FOCUS SHOULD BE ON ACQUIRING KNOWLEDGE (this applies to all SCHOOL and COLLEGE going students) TO DEVELOP A "SKILLED INDIA".
Lead the present and the future generation towards this goal and make them realize this fact early enough to guide them towards more challenging and more successful careers, thereby providing the world with THE BEST OF SKILLED MANPOWER, "MADE IN INDIA!".
With the help of marks and good communication skill, the one thing that I really developed right from middle school, I was recruited as a System engineer. What was expected of me is to possess a strong funda, so that the whole process would be a cakewalk. I remember the marks that I had got. But the funda in the exams that I wrote all these years??!! So what have I gained in my 20 years of schooling? More marks than knowledge I should say.
Thus came the enlightenment! I started to brush up my basics, which I should have done, in an effective way, right from school. THIS IS ONE THING THAT IS REALLY MISSING IN THE EDUCATION SYSTEM IN INDIA. The students focus more on marks than on acquiring Knowledge.
While applying for the entrance exams like IIT, AIEEE etc when at school, I felt it funny when I saw the ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA in these examinations was just 50% aggregate. I realized then that it was not the marks but the Knowledge Quotient being expected in these exams. But how to acquire the Knowledge, which I thought was somewhat alien back then.
If you are a person who has this sort of a doubt, the answer is simple. Correlate what you study with whatever happening around you, all over the world. Visualize the bigger picture and ask WHY, HOW, WHAT and WHY NOT to everything you read. Don't worry if your parents or teachers don't have all the answers. You have google to help you always! Yes, "The Age of Information" (Sad that internet was not so popular when I was at school. It was the library that I had access to and the books just made me doze off! A bad carpenter blames his / her tools :P)
The other thing of utmost importance is the "INTEREST TO LEARN" and "THE ENTHUSIASM TO LEARN NEW OR TO UPGRADE YOURSELF". This is one thing which is to be etched into every human to progress. Learn at least one new thing a day, you will feel the enrichment of your knowledge.
I don't wish to completely blame the EDUCATION SYSTEM IN INDIA for these setbacks. The NCERT books provide the right path and approach to gain knowledge! But few / all "state-board" school syllabus are really pathetic! Those are the ones which train students to focus only on gaining marks, reduce the standards of knowledge in the syllabus or curriculum to make sure that more students pass through their exams every year. Well, they pass their examination, but fail to acquire the required knowledge, thereby remaining unemployed or lacking the skills to become employable.
Who is to be blamed for this scenario? The student or the way the education is inculcated in them??
India still sees many first generation school goers. Their only best source of acquiring knowledge is from school. So, THE FOCUS SHOULD BE ON ACQUIRING KNOWLEDGE (this applies to all SCHOOL and COLLEGE going students) TO DEVELOP A "SKILLED INDIA".
Lead the present and the future generation towards this goal and make them realize this fact early enough to guide them towards more challenging and more successful careers, thereby providing the world with THE BEST OF SKILLED MANPOWER, "MADE IN INDIA!".
One of the best ways to enhance knowledge is through Critical Thinking and the core idealogy of Critical Thinking is asking right questions (MORE WHY' AND HOW') while gathering information through reading!!!
ReplyDeleteYes. Socrates has mentioned about asking why and how at every knew thing we learn / come across. He said this many centuries ago. And this is not taught to children the right way to kindle their thoughts and mind
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