Improving the Quality of Education
Posted: 15 Feb 2016 13:41
Indian education system is in shambles. So much so, that the II(X) institutes exist to prove that they are exceptions than the rule. I have summarized some thoughts on this topic here.
Typically Education in India goes on like this:
1. 4 - 10 yrs (Primary)
2. 11 - 15 (Secondary)
3. 16 - 17 (Higher Secondary)
4. 18 - 21 (College / Undergraduate - 4yr course)
--> Hit Job market at B. E / B. Tech Level
5. 22 - 23 (Post graduate)
--> Hit Job market at M. Sc / M. A / M. E (Tech) Level
By the time a child becomes a economically productive individual in this system, the child is at least 21 years old. Worse, after 21 years, the young adult has to be now trained in being economically productive. Estimates by professionals of different streams put employability between 5% - 25% (depending on job profile). What this number tells us is 3 out of 4 graduates (even from engineering colleges) are unfit to be employed anywhere, in any job. And they reach this state of general uselessness after 21+ years of "education".
The problem stated above is something that many are familiar with. What could be the solution? Am proposing a set of thoughts below, that are open for discussion.
1. Change focus from "Theory --> Practicals" to "Practicals --> Theory". In a sense: 70% practicals + 30% theory in terms of time share.
2. Create a hierarchical system for practicals, where older students teach younger ones. For instance, a person who can disassemble a ICE, can teach someone how to safely disassemble a bicycle.
3. Focus on specialization early on, so that the "readiness to be employed" is achieved at a much lower age (18 - 19, instead of 21 - 23).
4. Include live examples that can be immediately related to, for practicals: instead of working with abstract entities like a Rheostat and voltmeter (not extremely engaging / interesting), give them a fan and ask them to build a speed regulator (or vice versa) ..
5. Introduce basic concepts as questions and methods, rather than as facts.
6. Create a pyramid of education with individual teachers on the top - and students at various levels forming the layers.
7. Allow loose congregation of teachers, instead of rigid school setup (where the risks, advantages and responsibility are pinned on the School rather on individual teachers)
8. Make Education a holistic experience (physical / mental) rather than about mugging books up.
9. Create a system for student (middle school / high school) internships (in safe sectors, at least).
Would love to hear the merits and demerits of these points in the debate.
Thanks.
Octotus
Typically Education in India goes on like this:
1. 4 - 10 yrs (Primary)
2. 11 - 15 (Secondary)
3. 16 - 17 (Higher Secondary)
4. 18 - 21 (College / Undergraduate - 4yr course)
--> Hit Job market at B. E / B. Tech Level
5. 22 - 23 (Post graduate)
--> Hit Job market at M. Sc / M. A / M. E (Tech) Level
By the time a child becomes a economically productive individual in this system, the child is at least 21 years old. Worse, after 21 years, the young adult has to be now trained in being economically productive. Estimates by professionals of different streams put employability between 5% - 25% (depending on job profile). What this number tells us is 3 out of 4 graduates (even from engineering colleges) are unfit to be employed anywhere, in any job. And they reach this state of general uselessness after 21+ years of "education".
The problem stated above is something that many are familiar with. What could be the solution? Am proposing a set of thoughts below, that are open for discussion.
1. Change focus from "Theory --> Practicals" to "Practicals --> Theory". In a sense: 70% practicals + 30% theory in terms of time share.
2. Create a hierarchical system for practicals, where older students teach younger ones. For instance, a person who can disassemble a ICE, can teach someone how to safely disassemble a bicycle.
3. Focus on specialization early on, so that the "readiness to be employed" is achieved at a much lower age (18 - 19, instead of 21 - 23).
4. Include live examples that can be immediately related to, for practicals: instead of working with abstract entities like a Rheostat and voltmeter (not extremely engaging / interesting), give them a fan and ask them to build a speed regulator (or vice versa) ..
5. Introduce basic concepts as questions and methods, rather than as facts.
6. Create a pyramid of education with individual teachers on the top - and students at various levels forming the layers.
7. Allow loose congregation of teachers, instead of rigid school setup (where the risks, advantages and responsibility are pinned on the School rather on individual teachers)
8. Make Education a holistic experience (physical / mental) rather than about mugging books up.
9. Create a system for student (middle school / high school) internships (in safe sectors, at least).
Would love to hear the merits and demerits of these points in the debate.
Thanks.
Octotus