Why is education indispensable for the nation?
A nation’s system of education is an integral part of its culture and value system. A system of education reflects the life of a nation, its character, its socio-economic conditions as well as aspirations. Culture and education not just give a glimpse of the past, but displays present values, demands, and needs of life and also look forward to guiding the path of the future[1].
[1] “Full text of “Education In India Past, Present, Future, Vol. 1″.” https://archive.org/stream/in.ernet.dli.2015.124499/2015.124499.Education-In-India-Past-Present-Future-Vol-1_djvu.txt. Accessed 31 Oct. 2020.
Quality education is also responsible for correcting and creating good culture and harmony among communities in the nation.
Leaning is in a true sense, complete when one is edified about the totality, the wholeness of life.
You must have heard about the recent National Education Policy 2020, right? What is it all about? Why does that incorporate early childhood care and wholesome learning? It is not the first time this need was addressed in any policy, the constitution of India encourages the citizens to develop the scientific temper, taking inspiration from it, many such steps have been taken to emphasise the idea of wholesome learning in India. Such a need emerges because of loopholes and shortcomings of the historical development of society and the education system. Even though such developmental activities, at that point in time, try to solve the existing problems, there are always new questions that arise because of the dynamic nature of life.
Why wholesome learning?
School education should not be only about getting good marks in exams to secure a seat in prestigious universities of your choice for pursuing higher studies. Only developing cognitive functions of a child is not enough. Along with a focus on pedagogy and content, the focus on social, emotional and physical well being and life skills of students should also be our concern. It is imperative for a child to have a healthy mind and spirit to diminish the stress they feel in primary levels. Many scholars are of the opinion that in the primary classes, children are vulnerable to depression, and feel a compulsion to outperform their peers. Some meet their expectations, and some do not succeed. They go through mental trauma and breakdown. In future, they show signs of low self-esteem. If life skills training is imparted in classrooms, they substantially influence the abilities of students as well as teachers to lead a balanced life and manoeuvre the pressure better.
How is India at an advantage?
Wholesome learning is essential for human development. You know, 65% of Indian population is below the age of 35 years. What good is that if we do not take advantage of such demographic dividend at the right time? We must see such a young age population as a promise for a brighter future. Also, multifold advancement in technology can be employed for our interest.
Drawbacks and what shall be done
However, there exists a considerable gap between potential and performance. To realise every dream and futuristic goals, we need more investments in social infrastructure, especially education, and health and sanitation with an intense focus on gender-based issues. Outlay on human capital is the need of the hour. Along with an emphasis on education, vocational training should be encouraged.
As responsible citizens, we should appreciate every effort made by the government in the field of wholesome learning and overall development, and we should take benefit of programmes like PM Kaushal Vikas Yojana, etc. It is our responsibility as well to be aware of schemes and policies in place.
