What changes should be made in education system?

Changing the system from theoretical to practical based requires a multi-pronged approach.

·         TEACHERS:

We need to create an army of teachers capable of teaching skilfully. I can say with conviction that not all the teachers today have the ability to teach with a practical and concept-based approach. Not their fault. Even teachers require training. And that's where our target is. So, what do we do?

o    Train teachers to adopt a concept-based approach.

o    Focus on CREATIVE EDUCATION PRACTICES and how they can be applied.

o    Encourage educators to adopt modern and innovative methods of teaching like videos, role-playing, kinaesthetic activities, story-telling. (Yes, storytelling is an art that can be used in education. People retain stories in their minds more effectively than they retain the information read from a book.)

o    And hey, guess what? EVALUATE THE TEACHERS AS WELL. Evaluation and assessment of their knowledge, their teaching practices are also necessary.

·         CURRICULUM:

In the current scenario, the curriculum leaves little or no space for the students to gain practical knowledge and understand concepts.

o    The curriculum needs to be designed such that unnecessary and useless information is rooted out and useful, must-know information is retained.

o    That being said, students should also be taught relevant history of their country, of the world, and also to include some religious preaching. All of this because:

a.     Every person should know their roots, where they come from;

b.    They should understand how world politics is working today and what past events in world history are influencing the current policies;

c.     They should understand what different religions preach and they should be sheltered from the present-day communal and religious riots.

o    The focus should be on making the students understand concepts, which can be applied later in life

a.     Intelligent students have knowledge.

b.    Smart students understand the concepts.

c.     Wise students have the knowledge, understand the concepts, and know-how to apply them. We want wise students.

o    The curriculum should include projects and practicals wherein students are made to apply their knowledge and understanding of the given subject. Learning has no meaning if it is not applied. Unless the students apply a concept practically and see results for themselves, they won't achieve a complete understanding of the subject matter.

o    All work and no play make Jack a dull boy. The focus should not only be on studies but also on extracurricular activities. Education means all-round development of an individual. It includes sports, performing arts like singing and dancing, painting, writing - everything.

The brain has 2 parts: Left and Right. One is responsible for the analytical, mathematical, and logical learning. The other, it handles the creative aspects like music and art. The curriculum should aim at developing both the hemispheres of the brain.

And lastly,

·         ASSESSMENT:

The assessment of the students must be changed. Currently, the assessment is based on rote learning and reproduction in the exams. We have no way to assess what the student has understood. It calls for a change in the examination system.