Thou Shalt Learn By Rote

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Education began the very moment we were born…………..when we were educated in innumerable ways by our parents and our environment. The word “education” is derived from the latin word educare meaning to “nourish” or “to raise”. Education literally means to “draw out” and is often about facilitating the realization of potential and the latent talents of an individual, besides instructing mentally and morally.

When we use the word “education”, it is not just limited to the science books, Shakespeare’s plays, the rather boring moral science lessons, or the mathematics textbooks we all dreaded in our formative years; it also includes the imparting of culture and values from generation to generation as one of its fundamental aspects. It has been rightly said that “education is a progressive discovery of our own ignorance”.

But this definition has lost its context in the present scenario. The education system in India as it has been said from time immemorial is largely based on rote learning. Ranging from primary education to undergraduate studies, the outlets for students to allow their creativity and imagination to flow have been effectively sealed. How was your score in the test? How many marks did you get? Did you loose a mark because of a silly mistake? Sounds familiar, doesn’t it? You will be hard pressed to find a student whose primary aim in life is not to obtain that one mark he lost or else not allow the sadist in him to ensure that the other person’s marks are reduced. It’s high time we look ahead and beyond the narrow ideas of education.

“Thou Shalt Learn Everything By Rote”, commands the divine education system of our country. This particular commandment has been the basic learning tool for a whole generation of students. In fact so entrenched are students with this axiom that they fail to comprehend everything that they have learnt.

There are many who “go with the flow” without realizing what is best for them, and to some extent one can blame the educational system for this. The present system in many boards does not enable a student to realize what he/she is good at. Due to the lack of opportunity to hone their skills, students remain unsure when they reach that critical juncture of choosing their preferred stream. Also our education system is unforgiving. Unlike the US education system, which is very flexible, the Indian system does not allow you to switch streams midway. This is another reason why many students continue with their current streams, even after realizing that it is not suited to them.

We should question ourselves, whether the potential of our country’s youth is tapped efficiently. If ambitions are suppressed and career pursued just for the sake of it, it would be fool-hardy to expect an optimum result. The general perception that only those students who pursue the conventional branches of engineering, medicine, commerce etc. Lead a content life should be changed. An individual who has potential and interest in his/her field can scale great heights in whichever field he/she may pursue. It is upon us as a society to ensure that no dreams are left unfulfilled and that everyone gets the right opportunity to prove his or her worth.

Every student should think about their own future. Because let’s face it there is no point in going through the grind for years and ending up as a zombie. Today we have lots of career opportunities for everyone. From dj-ing to vaastu consultancy, tea tasting to hair styling, horse grooming to book writing, we have access to information about a large number of careers. So what is important is taking an informed decision. You could even make a career out of your hobby.

So think beyond the three p’s – pay package, peer pressure and prospects. But a word of caution, do think twice with a clear mind. After all there is conventional wisdom in looking before you leap. Take some time out and listen to your heart. Make your life- yours.

It’s my life, it’s now or never, I ain’t gonna live forever. I just wanna live, while i am alive.

It’s my life- Bon Jovi. Don’t just sing it. Live it.

Pranay Bhardwaj

Mech, 1st year

Delhi technological university

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5 Responses to Thou Shalt Learn By Rote

  1. very nice piece of writing…….
    educations system is highly responsible for the basic ideas of a child in a country……….
    well,tym is changing now and i ljus hope people go by their minds and hearts to select the best one for them….

    abhi
    October 23, 2010 at 11:46 pm
    Reply

  2. a student should keep his interest and know what he is good at rather than what he is made to do

    Gaurav Singh
    October 24, 2010 at 3:17 am
    Reply

  3. @abhi thanks for your appreciation, i agree that the system is changing, but by the time it will change, we will be in our 60′s.
    @gaurav yes a student should keep both his strength and interest in mind, and weigh both to pursue a degree………

    pranay
    October 24, 2010 at 5:54 pm
    Reply

  4. the best way would be to have two jobs, one for money and one as per your hobby……………

    pranay
    October 24, 2010 at 5:56 pm
    Reply

  5. @ pranay.

    its really difficult to cope up with two jobs..
    either do a job you love.. or love the job you do…

    Abhishek.Bindal
    October 26, 2010 at 12:16 am
    Reply

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