Memorisation. Lack of understanding. Uninspired learning. Disengagement. These are just some of the many terms used to describe the education system and school experiences of many children across India. Studies reveal that the heavy reliance on textbooks, uncritical assimilation of content, and narrow assessments in the form of tests, all perpetuate rote learning in classrooms. This, in turn, compromises deeper levels of understanding and development of higher order thinking skills. The rigid system marginalises a number of children. And the inordinate value placed on testing promotes a single, limited conception of intelligence, to the detriment of others. While educationists like Sir Ken Robinson have promulgated the theory that “Human communities depend upon a diversity of talent not a singular conception of ability”, the education system in India fails to accommodate this diversity.
Needless to say, our education system is in need of comprehensive reform. A system of education developed to meet the demands of colonial rule and the Industrial Revolution is inadequately prepared to meet the needs of the 21st century and beyond. But transforming the system into something else of value requires asking the right questions: What is the purpose of education? What skills and attitudes do our children need for an enriched life?
We live in a time where things are continually evolving. And the future is uncertain. In order to thrive in such environments, children need to be equipped with a different set of skills and attitudes—those that prepare them to tackle the known, and also the unknown. Research indicates that 21st century learning skills and attitudes such as creativity, problem solving, independent and flexible thinking, risk taking, collaboration, communication, and more are of greater value to children’s holistic development and future success than acquiring static knowledge. It is not enough to just know something, but it’s your capacity to envision, test the limits of your knowledge, make connections, draw inferences, challenge assumptions, and contextually apply knowledge, that is of importance. In fact, creativity — a skill that receives short shrift within our education system — has been promoted by leaders across industries/sectors, to be the number one predicator of future success, and important for the creation of a vibrant and productive workforce (IBM study).
An education system that values developing 21st century learning skills and attitudes is one that embraces a hands-on, experiential, interdisciplinary, and inquiry-based approach. It cultivates in children an enduring understanding that a single problem can often have multiple solutions. It sees mistakes as a necessary part of learning. And, it rewards asking the right questions that help expand understanding, rather than memorising answers. By recognising that all new learning emerges from prior learning and understandings, and the interactions between the two, such a system sees learning as a dynamic, interactive, and recursive process.
Given that the stakes are high, it is necessary to recognise the importance of actively involving all major stakeholders (government, educators, parents) in pushing the agenda for reform. We need a multi-pronged approach. We need to look to schools across the country that have successfully implemented alternative approaches to educating children (within syllabus parameters); document and share best practices; bring greater awareness about the value of alternatives (such as arts-based learning, for example). Engaged and informed parents that embrace a broader vision of education will be empowered to collectively demand systemic change. Engaging experts from academia and diverse fields in advocacy efforts can also help us move towards an education system that reflects the needs of the 21st century and beyond.
Also read: Case Study | Kaushik Gopal | G. GautamaThe writer is an educator and Founder/Director of ArtSparks Foundation, an educational organisation focused on developing creativity and other 21st century learning skills through art
