ववददद दददवत ववनयद , ववनयददद यदवत पदततदमद।

पदततवदतद धनमदपननवत ,धनदतद धमर ततत ससखमद॥

Before i begin to vent my views on our examination and education system, I'd like
to thank everyone who created this platform,especially Modiji, because while
writing it, I realised that our education system isn't that unworthy as we all
think it to be. And I'll tell you how.

EXAMINING EXAMS

From the very beginning of the human revolution, if there is something that has
gained more and more importance so far, it is 'Education'. Thereupon, education was
seen as a strong weapon which had the power to change the world. And it did . It
helped us to realise our own self.

But is this sacred reason behind education still present today? Or did it get
sidelined and crippled over years?

Finding the answer to this question was what led me to change my whole perspective
towards examination and education system. I got to know that present education
system isn't ours. It's origin revert back to the time of Britishers.

So being a 'Bharatiya' , I'd first like to acknowledge and value our own education
sytem.

THE ACTUAL EDUCATION SYSTEM (feat. Indians)

Before the advent of nineteenth century and being free from the influence of
Englishmen , we had traditional schools named as 'Gurukuls', where everything from
real life philosophy to metaphysics was taught. A child used to start learning at
the age of 5. Here I'd not like formulate this as a wrong or right age for learning
because I think learning hasn't much to do with age as a child starts learning from
the very moment he or she is born,until we just characterise him or her in a
'formal' learning process.

So, at this tender age,he started living his life with his teacher,his guide, where
he was given everything from food to shelter and clothing ,where he had to do
manual work everyday. This technique was what led to make the 'shishyas' more
practical and to be creative.

They even had ceremonies like 'Vidyarambha', which was the beginning of their
student life, worshipping goddess Saraswati - the mother of knowldge. Other
ceremonies like 'Upanayana', and more like 'Sadyodwahas' and 'Brahmavadinis' were
even for girls.

While all of this was being practised in most part of the country,a sudden takeover
by the East India Company changed the complete scenario. A new education system
arrived,which we can precisely say as today's system got a hold on us.

THE PRESENT EDUCATION SYSTEM (feat. Britishers)

When Britishers came into India,according to them they started revolutionalising

everthing,especially industries. So industrial revolution was in full swing. They
were scrutinizing every part of our nation for their own profits.
But we,rich in our cultural diversity and heritage, believing in 'Atithi Devo
Bhava' welcomed them and hence it was extremely easy for them to invade us.

Even though they had a hold on us, they faced a major problem - 'Communication'.
But they were even clever. So they called Thomas Macaulay from England to observe
the whole arena here and to modify it in a way that wasgoing to be worthy and
fruitful for themselves.

They wanted clerks,who'd do the desk job for them,without being much creative and
without questioning anything that was being asked to be done.

Sounds familiar,right?

Obviously, thinking from Britshers' point of view,you can imagine at that time,who
needed creativity? Like who would like to see a poet in factories?

Henceforth, they put forward in a new sytem where the traditional old system was
scrapped off and discarded.
The new policy included the STEM subjects, which technically means-

S - Science
T - Technology
E - Engineering
M - Mathematics

Here, as we all know until 10th all students study the same prescribed subjects and
after that the streams are further divided in the following preference order-

Science > Commerce > Arts

Here, notice that arts is given the lowest preference. Okay so just imagine the
world with arts. If art wouldn't have been there, then how would we know about
Stone age, lest the cavemen drew the scriptures of artefacts on the rocks, on the
caves?

Coming to the present situation , there are standardised test, competition level is
on its peak, nobody wants to lad behind in the race and we all desire high
qualifications which will boost our self-esteem in the modern society.
Well, but I see a good point here that co-education has earned its respect in all
the years, thus promoting gender equality.

Yes, I agree that today's examination system has deteriorated ,skill development is
reduced, teachers aren't higly qualified,students,me including, sometimes feel
bookish and theoretical knowledge are outperforming the basic practical skills,
underemployment and unemployment are reaching new scales, I'd not be hesitant in
blaming the British system for all of our misery.

But what pricks me even more,is that even after so many deacdes of independence,
we're still not able to change this? We have developed,advanced and proved
ourselves in almost all fields, but what about a nation's first and foremost
priority - Education and Examination?

It feels this issue is a cliff hanger for us. So let's find our way out.

WORLD'S BEST EDUCATION SYSTEM & WORLD'S HAPPIEST COUNTRY

Finland, over the years, has earned a prestigious status as it has been declared as
the world's best education system and the happiest of all nations as well!

So can we take leaf out of their story?

There,children start schooling when they've attained the age of 6 or 7 (almost

similar to our 'Gurukul' criteria). Unlike our nation,their compulsory education is
of only 9 years, after which they can pursue studies further if they wish
to.Moreover,even the high school students have barely a homework of 15-20 minutes
because they believe that their actual 'home' 'work' is to spend time with family ,
friends , sports , art , poetry etc.

Their sole purpose is to hone the creative skills of the students.They have short
school days with 45 minutes class and 15 minutes rest in which children can out and
play while teachers can go to their 'teachers' lounge' ! Yes they even have it and
teachers can also rejuvenate themselves, have a massage and discuss new ideas.

The teachers out there are highly professional,higly qualified and nobody sneaks
into their classroom for inspection.Moreover,they don't face any competition as
such because their only aim is to make learning 'fun'. And the point that I like
the most is that unlike our country, there is no competition between the schools.
They believe in 'co-operation' and not 'competition' and hence all schools are the
same and best at the same time.

So, deeply fascinated by their method of imparting knowledge and to dig deeper
into their philosophy, I went to the holy place of all soultions - Google, and
thereupon, after a bit of research, I found out the 'shortcomings' in them which
were actually 'strengths' in our system.

There, if a child is weak at a particular topic, then they'll be given only easy
problems to solve.Whereas, in our Asian nations,if we are stuck at some topic,we'll
be stressed even more on that and more difficult problems will be given to us.
If I'm not wrong here, I think this is to ensure that we believe in 'settle for
nothing but the best' and to constantly keep ourselves evolving.Whereas, the
Finnish people want learning to be nothing but fun.

And let me tell you that even the students over there accept the fact that learning
shouldn't always be fun.For example, when we learnt Hindi or English grammar,was it
fun?
NO,not at all.
But later, when we had acquired the knowldge of grammar we got to know it's
importance and how we are able to communicate efficiently.

Moreover, since childhood to teenage, as they dont face much competition between
each other, when they go to qualify for jobs, which needs competence, they lag
behind.

As teaching is a highly respected profession there, and there is a lot of

competition. According to facts and figures of last year, only 7% of all the
candidates appearing were chosen for the post of teachers,leaving 1400
disappointed. This shows us that they have to face competition in their life,be it
early or late.

Whereas, we, on the other hand, just after completing 10th, are put in a
competitive environment, so that we know how to fight the competition and to be
prepared for the reality of the harsh world.

So, coming back to the original question asked - yes, I think that our examination
system helps in evaluating the true potential of students, but only upto some
extent. So taking cue from other countries and by my own observation,I'd like to
suggest some measures for and ideal examination system.

THE IDEAL EXAMINATION SYSTEM

I've devised the following technique -

When a child reaches until 7 years of age , starts dreaming and aspiring ,or maybe
when the child has matriculated, there should be an exam for which they'll not need
preparation, yes , no preparation!
It'll be an exam based on 'choices' .

Choices between 2 options will be given to them.Let's say 'football' and

'cricket' . If he/she chooses football, he/she will be trained for football.
And what if he/she chooses both?

If that child chooses both option, let's say , then he'll be categorised in 'all
rounder' and trained accordingly.

And yes,options aren't going to be only 2. Of all the numerous career options
present today, there'll be nearly 100 questions, meaning 200 choices.From where,
priorities of their career will be set.

I'm sure this might seem far-fetched,but just try to imagine, how a child's morale
will be boosted when he sees his desires as the best career options for him on the
screen.

Just like our pre existing system,there should be compulsory education for all and
one free period daily for honing the creative skills which were prioritized in this
exam.

Furthermore,after 10th,the 12th class,studies should be propagated with the same

talent that they wish to pursue. There should be a practical period everyday to put
what has been taught into use.

Our examination system might be having some shortcomings-which every country has- ,
but it never made students fall below their level and continuously challenges them.

We all should be together for the future of the nation, for us.We all should
blaming and point fingers towards each other, understand the tender minds of the
kids, and most importantly, to stop judging kids on the basis of their academics.

I thank you from the core of my heart for taking out your time to read this and I
hope that I was able to convey what i wanted to!

THANK YOU SO MUCH .

JAI HIND, JAI BHARAT !
-From a Bharatiya (Saumya Sharma)