written by Prince Bhagtani, and illustrations by Tara Anil
Recently, in a history book, I read a few words by Gandhiji published in the 1937 issue of the Harijan newspaper, which sent me into deep thought. “By education, I mean an all-round drawing out of the best in the child and man—body, mind, and spirit.” It just so happened I was sitting in my school library and looked up. I saw many students stressfully mugging up answers, trying to find solutions and writing essays from ChatGPT while some others were least worried, playing games or scrolling through social media. It led me to the question…Is today’s education system drawing out our best in body, mind, and spirit?
Before answering this question, it is crucial to identify the elements of an education system. Although used synonymously to the schools, this phrase may just have a deeper and wider meaning. When an individual uses the different sources of knowledge, be it one’s family or friends, personal experiences, school, literature etc. to shape their own perspective and understanding of the world around them in an organised manner, we can call that a system of education. In simple terms, it is a set way of educating or being educated. Well then the question arises, who sets the system? I don't think we need to dig as deep for this one.
It's society! The education system is defined by the ethics, beliefs and practices of the society. Schools teach what society follows. Writers write in accordance with what the society follows. Critiques criticise what the society follows. Observers observe what the society follows. Thinkers think about what society follows. Education and society are intricately intertwined. Therefore, when this society isn't inclusive, when it excludes certain people or undertones their identity with false or generalised beliefs, it is safe to assume that education may be wrongly imparted because of what the society follows.
Now, I would like to give a few examples to discuss the pertinence of the adverb ‘wrongly' in the above statement. A very cliche but widespread stereotype is of women’s role being limited to the domestic sphere. In the old days due to this stereotype, the parents probably found it unfit for their daughter to pursue higher education or education in general. Especially for economically challenged families, who found it hard to afford education for children, this became an excuse to not send their daughters to school and save that money. As this stereotype was passed on from generation to generation, it formed deep roots in our society and thus began the ill treatment and denial of the right to education for females. It was not until the last century that women's upliftment became a priority. India, an orthodox country, is a prime example of how this evil still has an effect and to erase the same, efforts like the Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao’ policy still continue.
Many racial stereotypes, formed against natives by colonisers over centuries still affect today’s society, with coloured people still being considered inferior in intelligence to White people in some parts. Further, this has influenced the employment and rise to positions of power. The effect of these stereotypes varies as well. Even though a common stereotype stated women to be superior to men in the fields of communication and arts, whereas men are superior in STEM fields (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics); we see more men in the STEM jobs but not more women in Communication jobs. The aim of discussing these stereotypes is not degrading the choice of individuals to not be involved in the economy etc., but to show the sheer gravity of stereotypes in provision and imparting of education.
Although, we can't say there hasn't been change. People are more aware of the importance of education. Stigmas of denying education based purely on gender, caste or race are slowly being demolished and the barriers to education are breaking. Slowly, awareness is being raised. Slowly, we are improving. Slowly…But can't it be faster? Shouldn't it be faster? It can. It should.
It can be faster, if we all together contribute to raising awareness. It should, because as time progresses, it will just become harder and harder. To solve the problems of today and focus on progressing towards a better tomorrow, we must keep our hands free from the mistakes of the past. The stereotypes have left a considerable dent in today’s social fabric. However, we must recover. It is we, our society which will benefit at last. I feel organisations like YELL which focus on destigmatizing these global issues and raise awareness are impeccable and of immense importance in our quest to fulfil the goals of sustainability, inclusion and true equality. Let us stand united, as we evolve the concept of education. As Herbert Spencer has rightly said, “The great aim of education is not knowledge, but action.”
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