IDEAL EDUCATION SYSTEMS OF TODAY, WAIT, IS IT?

                   Accidentally and fortunately, I came across two different stories, about a same theme, on a single day, in two different books (one actually my graduation guide!), on a long train journey. They eventually made me a social thinker, and later a social activist.

            One among them is a chapter from Gandhiji’s autobiography-‘My Experiments With Truth’, titled ‘As School Master’, the other a small play by a Hungarian Fritz karinthy.

 

         Coincidence or not both of them have a lot of similarities, though they preach ideas that are at two different poles. Both were written by contemporary writers, Gandhiji who lived from 1869 to 1948 and karinthy who lived during 1887-1938.the former wrote initially in Gujarati and was translated into English later. Karinthy’s play was also initially in his mother tongue Hungarian and later translated to English. But the main part is, both are centered on the theme of educational systems, with Gandhiji demonstrating an ideal system and karinthy criticizing the modern concept of education.

        ‘As Schoolmaster’ depicts how the ancient and traditional gurukula system of education is still feasible (at least in countries with low populations, especially some third world countries). He preaches the idea that every child gets true form of education from his/her home. In his ideas, the teacher should take all his students under one roof and teach them many things (whatever he knows) for a specified period of time.

Unfortunately this form of education is not possible in many ‘ultramodern-junkie’ nations of today. But at least some countries in Africa, Asia, Oceania, and Latin America can benefit from such form of education, were children generally being illiterate soon takes to illegal affairs  like drug trafficking.

      As for karinthy’s play, the modern and conventional mode of education only instills knowledge into a child, most of them being useless and impractical in daily life. Almost all students turn into a selfish, cold and heartless adult, just to survive the unending competition with their peers. They are not taught to be practical. THEY JUST SURVIVE THEIR LIFE, NOT LIVE THEIR LIFE. 

          Here is a small extract from that play which perfectly depicts the true absurdity of our educational systems:

           The mathematics master:” …… if we represent the speed of light by X and the distance of the star Sirius from the sun by Y, what is the circumference of the 109 sided regular polyhedron whose surface coincides with that of the hip pocket of a state railway employee whose wife has been cheating him for 2 years and 11 months with a regimental major of Hussars?”

The wasserkopf (student):”of course, I know it, naturally, I know it. I’ll tell you. Two thousand six hundred and twenty-nine liters! Exact. And no fractions.”

The mathematics master:”No, the answer is wrong .the correct answer is 2688 liters, not 2669!”

WOW! A Perfect student and A perfect teacher!

              So, the question of the moment is, are schools and universities across our  planet sending out creatures every year that stands on two legs with a huge brain on top, but no heart? Are we creating a future filled with human machines to counter the computers? Is that what you really mean by ‘ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE’?.............................Food for thought!