Reconstruct the classroom
Children bow down under the weight of
their enormous school bags. Why should the school-going child suffer in the
name of education? The acquisition of knowledge is not linked to the weight of
the school bag.
R K Narayan, who created some of the
most memorable stories about childhood, argued for abolition of the school bag.
Therefore, the Telangana government’s decision to reduce the weight of school
bag is indeed laudable. Such a measure should be the beginning of a wider
reform in school education.
Education is a means to achieve
internal freedom. Internal freedom is defined as an ability to think rationally
and express creatively. But, the classroom confined, examination-oriented and
syllabi-specific education system is stifling this rational thought and
creative expression. As a result, there exists an eminent disconnect between
success in educational institutions and accomplishments in life.
Stating that education is not
information, but knowledge, Swami Vivekananda remarked that education has
become transfer of information from teacher’s notes to student’s notes, most
often not entering the minds of either.
Even in the knowledge economy such a
criticism on education system seems to be relevant. Such a reprehensible state
of affairs can no longer continue.
Memory has replaced critical thinking.
The information loaded education fails to discover the innate potential of the
child. Application is lost in the perplexing world of theory. But, theory is
that which emerges out of practice and enriches the practice.
The classroom needs to be demystified
and reconstructed. The dynamic link between the world around and the classroom
needs to be established.
As the renowned astrophysicist Jayant V Narlikar said, "challenges have stimulated efforts all the way to the highest strata of intellectual achievements. Challenges are under-utilised in our school teaching.
As the renowned astrophysicist Jayant V Narlikar said, "challenges have stimulated efforts all the way to the highest strata of intellectual achievements. Challenges are under-utilised in our school teaching.
Questions could be framed to make the
student think and come up with original ideas. In fact, the approach could be
two-sided, with the students also raising issues for the teachers to settle
issues that may make the latter also think afresh. While it is pleasing to be
told the answer to a question that has been bothering you, it is even more
pleasing to discover it yourself".
The school education is critical for
human resource development. As Yashpal committee observed, the burden of a
loaded curriculum and formal learning on the tender children is very unhealthy
and it robs the children of the joy of childhood. Education cannot be a
torturous experience. Lot is taught, but, little is learnt in our schools.
The destiny of India is being shaped in the classroom, said the Kothari
commission.
But, the destiny of education cannot
be left to the loaded curriculum that does not encourage critical thinking in
children. The educational landscape is changing fast imposing new demands. The
time has come for reinventing our education system to rise to the challenges of
transforming the societies and the knowledge ecosystem.
Technological advances also call for
revisiting the pedagogical practices. The archaic forms of teaching-learning
methods should be given up. The children should love learning. Education should
instil an insatiable appetite for learning. Education should awaken joy in
creative expression and knowledge.
Link | http://www.thehansindia.com/posts/index/Editors-Desk/2017-07-24/Reconstruct-the-classroom/314226
Regards
Pralhad
Jadhav
Senior Manager @
Knowledge Repository
Khaitan
& Co
Upcoming Lecture | ACTREC - BOSLA Annual lecture series (125th birth anniversary of father of library
science, Padmashree Dr. S. R. Ranganathan) on Saturday, 12th August 2017 at Advanced Centre for Treatment,
Research and Education in Cancer (ACTREC), Kharghar, Navi Mumbai. (Theme | 'MakerSpace')
No comments:
Post a Comment