Education is what remains after one has forgotten what one has learned in school. This famous quote, attributed to various people, including Albert Einstein, summarises the state of school education in India. Despite the many changes it has undergone, and many more recommendations implemented over the past many years, school education is anything but perfect.
This gives people with authority—governments, education officials and institutions— ample scope to toy with the system, which they do with alarming frequency. Rules are changed and goalposts shifted almost every other day. The latest is Karnataka’s decision to introduce board exams for students of classes 5 and 8. “This will make students take Class 10 board exams seriously,” an official said in defence of the move. Are you serious?
The decision follows CBSE’s move to reintroduce board exams for Class 10. The Centre and states are also taking a relook at the no-detention policy. In Karnataka, the policy will now be applicable only till Class 4. Whether the return of board exams and detention will help is a matter of debate. But there’s no denying that our school education system needs reform. What we need are comprehensive changes; a piecemeal approach will not do. Changing rules at the whims and fancies of some should stop. A choice has to be made between forcing children to learn and creating an atmosphere in which they fi nd learning enjoyable.
Made to learn by rote and study subjects they have no interest in, children fi nd education a burden. Studies have shown the no-detention policy reduced dropout rates. But with parents and teachers complaining of a fall in academic standards, the rules are being tightened.
This exposes a clear lack of understanding of what’s required. Going back to a system once found to be faulty is no solution. Reduce the burden on children, don’t add to it. Change the education system, and keep it simple and uniform.