Role of Education

 

Role of Education is to humanise a person physically, intellectually, socially and spiritually - to make one physically strong to put in efforts, intellectually smart enough to induce efficiency in the efforts, socially synergetic to involve others in the same and spiritually focused to direct these efforts for a constructive cause.

The system of education prevailing in our country in medieval times, of disciples going to gurukuls, tried to come nearest to perform this role in human life. But does our modern system of schooling necessarily put an emphasis on this human building? After giving a careful thought, one is inclined to answer in negative.

What really bothers me about the present day education system is its so called uniformity ! Why a kid who is born and brought up in Mumbai and going to live all his future life in the same or similar cosmopolitan metropolis be taught ploughing a field and similar such activities carried out on a common farm? A general knowledge of agriculture is essential I do agree, but would that poor kid be able to imagine himself doing all these activities?

Every state in India differs in culture, geography, language, demographics and so on. But even within a state, there exists a vast diversity among people. School syllabus should not be the same across the state after primary schooling. It should be designed to include regional peculiarities. For example, a geography syllabus in konkan region should be more elaborating on growing opportunities in tourism business, new ways of rice cultivation and the business of fisheries, marine transport, ports and their functioning, etc. A Western Maharashtra syllabus would typically include sugarcane, cotton, sugar industry, products and by-products, opportunities in agro-business, export opportunities, electricity projects carried out on Krishna-Koyna riverbeds, co-operative movement, etc.

There are other points like quality in education, practical orientation approach in education etc. but as for today, I would call it an end!!