With the monumental motto of ‘To be taught how to think and not what to think’, education may have undergone continual evolution with bittersweet occurrences, but the children have been programmed to learn to score over time. And the formal tool to test their knowledge and proficiency only adds to the anxiety. Then why inculcate the examination process in an already burdened education system?
Every child is unique with a different learning style and varying pace, and the education system in certain countries is an organic learning process to instill creativity in the human mind from an early stage. However, in India, we are still focused on theoretical aspects that have lesser room for experimentation and creativity. More of a necessary routine to fit into the existing societal mechanism and earn degrees to fulfill the eligibility criteria to continue being a part of the working apparatus. With the intrinsic aim of heading towards a process that is focused on knowledge imparting and learning creatively, allows more room for the inclusion of diversity and fluidity of language, courses, and techniques, as we pensively await a marked revolution, what still is left to ponder is- are examinations a fair way to evaluate the potential of students?
Beyond the rat race to top the class, flaunting mark sheets, and the fierce competitiveness around marks and grades, there is a symbolism of greater purpose behind testing the skills of students. An evaluation system helps understand the potential of students testing their ‘conceptual knowledge’. The varied subjects target achieving a goal of competency in different areas and letting the child develop the aptitude of questioning- why, when, where, what, and how through learning acumen. Exams provide an assessment tool, a sense of self-discipline, a sensibility of overcoming failures, a thinking ability, inculcating values, communication, a better personality, multitasking, confidence, and handling responsibility. Building competence and character through emotional maturity, these tests pave way for life lessons and overall personality development. Besides providing a balanced assessment of skills, exams help add an accountability factor to the students who learn to work hard to perform well and do their best. While focusing on the positivity of examination, can we as parents overcome the treacherous traits of labeling our children, comparing them constantly with peers, and indulging in unhealthy competition? It is high time we evolve and learns before we begin to teach our children.
Allowing the children to learn the content and understand concepts, let them also undergo the testing tools to practice their learnings and skills. Let careful guidance help our children prosper through a system that’s meant to benefit them into blooming and becoming better human beings, and not make it a traumatic and pressurizing experience for their innocent prospering years. Keeping in mind the need of each child, let the children undergo the opportunity to showcase their educational abilities, and let there be order in chaos!
Jyoti Jha is an author, columnist, and globetrotter. A winner of ‘TOI Write India Season 3’. She contributes to both Hindi and English literature
