January 29, 2011
Our conventional education system was designed for the industrial era where standardisation and linear thinking were in prime time and going to university became the progressive next step after school. What was important in that era was only to have a marketable skill that can secure a job. The focus of the search is primarily based on the marketability of the skills as opposed to any talent or interest in it. Of course there are exceptions to the rule but rote learning is much the order of the day. There is not much importance given to whether a person has understood the essence of what is being learnt as long as he is able to reproduce much of it in exams and tests based again on having a specific solution to a problem. The hierarchy and importance start with math & science at the top, social studies falling in the next rung and with art, music and drama falling on the last rung as extra-curricular activities. There is little or no integration between the various subjects in the curriculum that we learn or a proper understanding of its relevance in our everyday life. Every subject sits in an island of its own and often we find that the secured marketable job does not use most of what we were taught by rote in the schools. I discover my own lack of depth and understanding, when confronted with my daughter's question as to why the sky is blue, despite having learnt that sometime in school. Then there is competition to contend with. In a competitive endeavour there is more often than not "one winner". He takes it all. His skills and energy are often focussed on building his ability to just crack the system or a test. Over time the system takes over and corrupts him or the falsehood just burns out the potential genius. Then there is often the tired and disenchanted loser who too burns out as he has never got close to his talents. In the long run isn't it a lose-lose either way as both are far off from realizing their potential or talent? Isn't there another way?
Our modern evolving world of the information era is far more complex than the industrial world. Change is the only constant. I can't seem to predict what is to be three years ahead not to talk about the world that my seven year old is going to graduate into. So can the education system prepare her for the world 20 years ahead? In the evolving world of today a question or problem statement often has multiple dimensions and different answers. A more divergent and creative thought process, than what our schools and tests offer today, is required to handle the complexity of the day and tomorrow. As individuals we have to excite our spirit and our energy in a vocation rather than in a "job". We have to delve deep into our selves and tap into our hidden talents. We have to engage our hand, heart and head and develop maturity and balance in our actions, feelings and thoughts. We have to look beyond the pettiness of competition and help build and creatively participate in a community. My self-referral needs to go beyond "What is in to for me?" and needs to come from the space of: "How can I help?". In an increasingly interdependent world of depleting resources this is necessary for our sustained survival.
Our education system needs to recognize and leverage the true strengths and talents of each individual. Every individual has a very special role to play in this world and the purpose of education should be to facilitate that discovery. Art and Music needs to be integral and integrated into the very fabric of a broad curriculum. We need to realize that a child is not a mini adult. The pedagogy should consciously meet and engage the child in an age appropriate manner effectively creating a balance of hand, heart and head. Our assessments and tests should be empathetic and sensitive to an individual's capabilities and talents. Children should learn the art of breathing, meditation, relaxation and rhythm as important skills sets in the curriculum. In turn they will learn to effectively use their mind instead of being used by the infinitely useless loops of dead habit and thought. Through such an education system they will carry forward into adulthood a lifelong passion for learning, a happy disposition and an incessant zest for life. In my personal view Streiner education strives to meet most if not all of this dream making it more relevant than ever in modern times.
George Varghese
Parent, Bangalore Steiner School
