My Idea of Education...

Here comes another view of me regarding the ‘help’ that I had discussed in the previous blog. I made a statement, “Help others in what ever way you can.” So, naturally questions crop in the mind regarding the ways/methods to help others. In this blog, I want to tell my views of helping others by broadly classifying them as…

[1] Education
[2] Emotional/Moral Support
[3] Social help

This blog is dedicated only to education and would write on the remaining two in my consecutive blogs. Education doesn’t me to teach them regarding the latest technologies and know how, but to first make them read and write in any language, in which they are comfortable. Discuss with them one subject at a time in a broader way. Let (or help) them find their own interest. Then according to their interests, guide them in proper directions.

Starting from the age of 4 years, teach the children, the basics of all the subjects like languages, mathematics, science and social studies (both with their 4 constituents). Also include in this duration, ample time (almost equal) for arts, crafts and sports for all round development of the children. Increase the level of difficulty of the subjects in phases over a span of 8-10 years. If they exhibit good performance in arts and sports, discuss the pros and cons of selecting them as their career paths or else suggest them to take it as a hobby or some extra-curricular activity.

If they exhibit greater interest in formal subject, let them find the subjects in which they are weak and strong, so that they can excel choosing one of them as their career starting point. Then, guide them through the particular subject in a broader sense, its constituent branches, the basic education one should have in order to excel in that particular field, available career paths, and the problems and challenges they can face etc. The student should be helped to chalk out a clear cut strategy to enter into the field they are interested in along with a few alternatives in their area of interest. Then, give them ample time to ponder over the various areas and pick up one career so that they can excel in their favourite area.

This would put off the pressure from the students as they study only the subjects they are interested in. Just teach the subjects in the class and counsel the student individually to analyze their areas of interest; there would not be any need of exams, compare and grade them. Also, there wouldn’t be any reason for the parents to scold their children. But, this doesn’t make it full, make them update their general awareness, not only bookish but also that are not bookish. Let me give an example: make the children to do basic activities like bank transactions, railway reservations, buying groceries, traveling etc. Make them an individual who can live independently, that they can do their jobs themselves and take suggestions for perfection now and then. Whets the use of a Master’s degree if one doesn’t know how to book a railway ticket or take a demand draft.

This would make the children do their daily needs independently, with out depending on their parents for each and every thing. For this to be successful, the parents should understand the concept and not spoon feed their children. Let the students decide what is good for them and don’t make their pride rule over their children. Don’t forget that great inventions in the history have come from individuals who excel in their areas of interest and not their parents.The noble man understands what is right. The inferior man understands what is profitable.

"Success in life comes not from holding a good hand, but in playing a poor hand well."Even spreading these kinds of ideas is also education.