todaybhaskar.com
faridabad| This is what we specialise in; I mean English medium schools. Most families use vernacular in their homes, but do their level best to push their children through English medium.
These schools are like honey traps. They look beautiful and attractive, but unwittingly kill their curiosity. The child smartly dressed and packed goes into the classroom where not only his movement area is confined, he is taught through a language that he least understands. Shocking this must be; imagine you sitting with a group of people speaking Pashto! But the child is so generous he still willingly or otherwise dares to see the film that he does not comprehend. Perhaps he takes it as an adventure and one day is able to cross the language barrier. However, by this time his mind has been burdened with meaningless numbers and rhymes. He continues with the daily chore; perhaps he develops liking for his friends, toys and opportunities to play and run around. He learns from his environment that may vary from one room school to lush green surroundings. He is tested; he is given a question paper even though he cannot read it. His teacher tells him what he got to vomit out. He is supposed to do homework that he cannot do on his own; has to wake up early to catch the school bus in winter. The life is tough, but he has no choice. I wonder how many children would like to sit in class if given freedom to run around.
Can we evolve an educational system which gives him a lot more freedom and where things are taught in a meaningful way that his curiosity to learn grows exponentially?
Yes, it is possible if the leading schools pave the way and honestly
think about solutions to make education healthy, conducive and
commensurate with their age. The result will be excellent. The
European schools are the examples. There are a few in India too, but
the number of such schools is very small. The English medium
schools of India have misled the parents so much that they also have
become the proud partners in their rat race of turning the wee little
children into Einstein’s of a future – never to be!
