Our pedagogy should look beyond exams and help students fulfil their dreams
Dr Parth J Shah
President, Centre for Civil Society
Since decades, the education policy India should follow has been a matter of debate. Aamir Khan’s “3 Idiots” has only intensified the discussion. In the movie, there is a flashback scene where the child protagonist attends classes of his choice. The child grows up to become a renowned scientist. The film questions the system of evaluation on the basis of examination in particular and the education system in general. In my view, this is a valid criticism. The so-called classroom model of education that we follow in our country is primitive. And we keep on following it blindly. The only thing that has changed over the last 1,000 years is the architecture of school and the quality of furniture. It just reflects that we have only focussed on resources all these years while nothing has changed in the way education is provided.
There are other issues as well that have been raised in this movie. In the West, there is a system where not only the child opts for the subject of his choice but the teachers as well. In my view, this is the best way of education. If a child chooses a subject of his liking, then there are valid chances that not only will he focus on studies but will also fetch good marks. Their examination system is such that it provides a clear evaluation of the candidate taking the test. The grading and credit system is scientifically designed to evaluate the students several times in a year and, that too, on different parameters.
Now look at India. The entire evaluation of a student is done through a three-hour sitting examination. Suppose, a child falls ill on the day of the test, either he fails or fetches poor marks. His entire year’s effort, thus, goes to the dogs. In the West, however, if a candidate falls ill on the day of the examination, he is allowed to take it on another day. His entire year’s labour does not go to waste.
Dr Parth J Shah
President, Centre for Civil Society
Since decades, the education policy India should follow has been a matter of debate. Aamir Khan’s “3 Idiots” has only intensified the discussion. In the movie, there is a flashback scene where the child protagonist attends classes of his choice. The child grows up to become a renowned scientist. The film questions the system of evaluation on the basis of examination in particular and the education system in general. In my view, this is a valid criticism. The so-called classroom model of education that we follow in our country is primitive. And we keep on following it blindly. The only thing that has changed over the last 1,000 years is the architecture of school and the quality of furniture. It just reflects that we have only focussed on resources all these years while nothing has changed in the way education is provided.
There are other issues as well that have been raised in this movie. In the West, there is a system where not only the child opts for the subject of his choice but the teachers as well. In my view, this is the best way of education. If a child chooses a subject of his liking, then there are valid chances that not only will he focus on studies but will also fetch good marks. Their examination system is such that it provides a clear evaluation of the candidate taking the test. The grading and credit system is scientifically designed to evaluate the students several times in a year and, that too, on different parameters.
Now look at India. The entire evaluation of a student is done through a three-hour sitting examination. Suppose, a child falls ill on the day of the test, either he fails or fetches poor marks. His entire year’s effort, thus, goes to the dogs. In the West, however, if a candidate falls ill on the day of the examination, he is allowed to take it on another day. His entire year’s labour does not go to waste.
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