Education & Expectations: We Have Failed Our Children
We not only send our children to school, but also to tuition, tutorials, and to pursue their academic dreams in coaching factories like Kota. Is it because our schools don’t teach well enough? Is it that these extra-academic centres of academic rigour would offer improved prospects of scholastic success in cracking the code across various college entrance exams?
The excessive esteem bestowed upon prestigious institutions like the IITs, IIMs, and a select few medical colleges in India is undeniable. For many parents and students, it often seems like it's either securing admission in these renowned institutions or nothing at all. This phenomenon, while a testament to the excellence and rigorous standards these institutions uphold, also underscores the immense pressure and expectations that society places on aspiring students.
It is indeed a sad societal commentary that one previous generation (parents ) which could not achieve (fully) - what is success to them, be it financial, social standing or otherwise - now pass the mantle of achievement to the next generation (students). It is within this disconcerting landscape that coaching institutes thrive, fostering a cycle of dependence wherein students come to rely on these institutions for their very futures.
This deliberate cultivation of insecurity has given rise to a stark discrepancy between the preparation for board examinations and the relentless competitive tests, further amplifying the inequalities that have come to define our education system. The Kota tests themselves, designed to be more challenging than standardised exams, sow the seeds of inadequacy and self-doubt when left unconquered. Yet the parents want their wards to get into such a game.
Student suicides in high-stress environments created by the pressure schedules of Kota coaching classes serve as a stark reminder that Kota is but a microcosm of the intense competition that prevails across India. Expecting the governments to solve for what is a societal mindset is a non-starter. But then what can the governments do? Can India open its doors to more college seats? Will that genuinely make a difference when students and parents continue to covet the best-rated colleges, perpetuating the cutthroat race to the bottom?
Our educational system, which hinges heavily on standardised examinations to gauge an individual's merit, while promising, is plagued by substantial shortcomings. Would cheaper education costs, easier availability of education loans, or reservations alone make education more egalitarian? These questions demand answers. Where there is none.
Why do we subject our youth to the gruelling rigours of exams like JEE and NEET? Is it merely to sift out candidates, or should our future generations understand that knowledge development is inherently competitive and cannot be spoon-fed for their comfort? Across the globe, entrance exams for medical and engineering studies are far less labyrinthine, yet they churn out graduates who seem to possess a deeper understanding of their fields. What, then, is lacking in our teaching methods? Do we take solace in sheer numbers, neglecting the quality of our processes and systems? Where are the dedicated teachers who can ignite the flames of curiosity in our students? What do we have to show for our research capabilities, aside from a handful of exceptional outliers?
One cause is the regulatory cholesterol that has clogged the arteries of the Indian education system - undoubtedly a malice that has impeded curiosity and learning. We need to encourage the development of innovative teaching methods, personalised learning experiences, and the use of modern technology. Education seems to be just a formal qualification, and not about learning. Will the NEP 2020 be able to change this? A healthy education system thrives on diversity, innovation, and individuality, which can be stifled by excessive government control.
In confronting the Kota conundrum, we are not merely addressing the challenges of education and mental health; we are moulding a future of promise and possibility. How do we tell our children that marks are important, but those marks don’t guarantee success? Those marks don’t mean that they will surely leave a mark on society. The pressing need for stable mental health within Indian society cannot be overstated, especially when we consider the direct correlation between mental health issues and the immense pressures placed on students within our burdened education system. The relentless pursuit of academic excellence, coupled with the high stakes of competitive exams, has given rise to alarming rates of stress, anxiety, and depression among our youth. The burden of expectations, often unrealistic, weighs heavily on their young shoulders, pushing many to the brink.
Addressing this demands a nuanced approach that strikes a delicate balance between preserving the need for students to be competitive while alleviating the undue pressure they face. It's imperative to revamp the education system to foster holistic development rather than rote memorisation.
In a world that is inherently competitive, succeeding demands a combination of hard work, smart strategies, and long-term patience and agility. As a society, we would watch with interest and adulation the lovely cinematic expression of this topic - 3 Idiots, Kota Factory, and so on. But what next? It is a question that beckons us to introspect and to change. But will we? Or rather can we?
Dr. Srinath Sridharan - Author, Policy Researcher & Corporate advisor
X : @ssmumbai
