my expectations from the education imparted in my school

“Imagination is more important than knowledge. Knowledge is limited. Imagination encircles the world." Albert Einstein

Since time immemorial, education has remained above the influence of those being educated. The educational system has ruthlessly squashed the dreams and hopes of students alike by remaining adamantly change-proof. Through this essay, I list a few expectations of mine which I hope to be seen incorporated in the present educational structure.

First and foremost, I seek a method of education where learning isn’t centered upon the whims and wishes of my teacher. I look forward to that Utopia, where I have an option of deciding what I would be taught, and how I would be coached. It is sheer insanity when I’m forced to learn Chemistry by rote memory, when my mind is playing with Algebra. Instead of having a common syllabus for all students which requires me to slog for hours with a concept I find least appealing, I would like to do something which I find fascinating, something which correlates with my likes, interests and ambition.

Edith Ann said "I like a teacher who gives you something to take home to think about besides homework." And I’m no different. I do not aspire for a Professor Kalam. All I ask for is a teacher who makes the class lively by her pep talks, informative by her knowledge troves, amicable by her humor and exceptional by her distinctive teaching techniques. She must drive in me the zest to be punctual rather than reprimand me for my laziness. So affable and unbiased must she be, such that even the most reticent student feels free to speak out his mind.

“Teach him it is better to be fail, than to cheat” Abraham Lincoln once wrote. Keith Townsend, the protagonist in The Fourth Estate would have exclaimed “BULLS EYE!” .It isn’t only the likes of Ishaan Awasthi that get put off by constant hammering due to abysmal performances, everyone does. My dear tutors must lay more emphasis on the learning that happens than the CBSE 0.01% Merit List. Why not try to analyze what caused my failure rather than putting me down in the “We’ll not issue him a hall ticket!” list?

No, I do not seek a school where I’m entitled to plush, air-conditioned, cozy classrooms with HP Laptops adorning each desk. The least the school must provide is an invigorating learning environment with essential technological infrastructure. Educational CDs, challenging quizzes, articulate seminars, animation films are more effective and etch a lasting impression in the students’ minds rather than monotonous Dr.ABCD’s , B.Tech, M.Tech, M.S, Ph.D, lectures. The brain dreads words, adores pictures. Technology-aided-education is the order of the day. My school must embrace it with open arms!

My teachers ought not to bring in occasionally a dose of “learning-by-doing” merely to please the meddlesome Education Officer. I require to be allowed to imagine, invent and innovate with my theory. And all I anticipate from my educators is encouragement and the offer to place their brains at my disposal. A poor bargain if I conjured up an Einstein-like invention, isn’t it?!?

Education in 2008 has come to mean quoting the entire NCERT textbook series back to front. When will this madness stop? I needn’t possess a 4 GB RAM for my brain yet I may be surprisingly scintillating with the 64 squares. My school must assure me of my overall development rather than selective progress. I expect my school to support and nurture my co-curricular talents. I may not be an ‘IIT Extended Merit List’ ranker, but why shouldn’t I be another Kasparov?

Finally, I do not advocate for a fatwa against sticklers for written works. Surely, knowledge is what that matters, not the number of neatly covered record notebooks stacked in your cupboard. I’m not against the system of homework but I would definitely benefit more if I were allowed time to explore beyond the boundaries of the known. Of course, I would love to have beyond-the-textbook assignments set to rack my mind. But, for heaven’s sake, no ‘Wikipedia Ctrl C + Ctrl V’ projects or ‘Copy down your entire book’ assignments please!

Barack Obama has succeeded under the banner ‘Change- We Can Believe In’. Will I?

[This is an essay I penned in Class IX. My beloved Vice-Principal Mrs.Rani-Rajan blasted me left, right and center for taking on at the Education Officer (who I realized quite late, was the person holding the competition!!!). Anyway, Article 14/57 of the Indian Constitution guarantees me the Right to Freedom of Thought and Speech...so Ma'am please save your breath!]