Paradigm Shift in Educating a Child

Paradigm Shift in Educating a Child

As an educationalist for more than 30 years, I strongly believe that the time is right now for our system of education to be amended drastically to suit the current needs and winds of change in education. Children today are very much accustomed to rote learning and memory work. Education is not memorization of facts only, but it should generate and allow creativity among our kids.

I believe currently that there is too much of emphasis placed on examinations and grades, be it teachers or even parents. This is not a new issue, rather a long debated perennial matter. And this matter will remain like a thorn in the flesh, as far as education of children is concerned, until and unless some concrete efforts are taken to rectify such an unhealthy situation.

The word ‘education’ is derived from the Latin word educere, which means “to bring out” or “to lead out”. As contained by the meaning of the word, are we playing our role to lead them out to achieve excellence and performance? Do we bring out the best of the child, or do we want to bring out what we think is the best for them? We should know every child is the light of the world and the same time, the darkness of the world. It is through education we bring the best of the child. Education here means the training we give at homes while they grow and develop into an excellent child in all aspects.

Our children have no room of creativity at neither school nor at home. Everything has been decided by others. The children cannot explore their interests on a free-will, but has to toe the line underlined by the teachers in schools and parents at home.

There needs to be a total mind-set change among teachers, and parents too in their pursuit to educate their young ones. We just don’t sent children to score a string of As, but in the pursuit of education, as Socrates clearly put forth that education is about drawing out what is already within the child.

A child cannot be considered excellent by merely getting 7As or 14 As in their examinations. Does it mean the child is considered excellent in all aspects when he gets all As. I remember attending a prize -giving ceremony recently for students achieving a string of As were awarded by one of state dignitaries on the stage. Sad to note besides shaking hands with the dignitary as a sign of gratitude, none except one student, shook hands with the other dignitaries standing on the stage, even the headmaster of the school. Are these child excellent children? Where is the value of gratitude? Who has failed to educate these students? The parents, or school teachers?

In a nutshell, the point is that parents are the ones responsible for the wholesome education of their children. We cannot always pin-point at the teachers when our children fail in exams or in their life. We, as parents, are answerable to all the woes of the children. Of course, the teachers should play a subordinate role in educating our children. But, the major responsibility is on our shoulders, the parents.

At the same time, perhaps, we should also relook at the assessment currently employed in the education system. Tests and exams are just one way to assess our children. There are many ways to it.