People often ask which is the best education system. Parents ask about the best school in Mumbai or whichever city or town they may be in so that they can impart the best education to their kids.
But how do you define “good” or “best” education?
Is there a perfect education system that can provide holistic learning in a structured and safe environment?
Well, let’s see …
The founder of the school that I grew up in believed that true education is the training of the Hand, the Heart, and the Head. His teachings were aimed at imparting knowledge and developing skills. He taught to ensure the holistic growth of his students.
And that’s just one of the reasons I wrote his biography.
Whether it is the 10+2+3 system or the new 5+3+3+4 education system, when you get right down to it, education is the training of the head, heart, and hand. Map that to knowledge, values, and skills and let’s see what we have:
Knowledge
Knowledge is what you know about a subject or topic. It’s your resource. It is your tool, your weapon. It’s yours to wield as you see fit. Without it you are defenseless.
Skill
Having a tool in hand is not enough. You must know how to use it. That’s skill – training of the hand.
Value
Value is wisdom. It tells you when and how to use – or not to use – the knowledge and skills you possess.
Any education system that can provide these three aspects, is, I think, a good education system.
The ancient education system of India used Gurukuls where students learned to live life. Not only did they gain knowledge but they also learned skills and values.
Does the contemporary education system in India or elsewhere provide the same sort of education?
Well, that’s the goal. But structure brings restrictions. It limits the scope of learning. And this can move the focus away from the objective of education.
Think about it. In the olden golden days, the Gurus loved their pupils as their own. They taught them everything from the scriptures to the values of everyday life and more. The Kings, and Emperors whose children studied at the Gurukuls appreciated this fact. So they provided for the Gurus whom they themselves consulted on occasion for advice.
Compare this with the contemporary scenario. There is an ongoing tug-of-war between parents and teachers on several fronts like learning, dedication, responsibility, and above all the compensation for the teachers. This stems from a disconnect between the goals of a teacher and a parent.
Where did this disconnect come from?
In one word, it arose because of a breach in – Trust, Faith, Belief, Empathy, Compassion … there are a few more words I could add to the list. Take your pick or feel free to add more in the comments to this blog.
Don’t forget to take a sneak peek at the biography of a great educator. If you like what you read, buy it and share your thoughts.