Deciphering the essence of education
- Vol.89(10), Oct
- Mumbai Arihant Publications 2024
- 44-5p.
The role of education in one’s life has reduced from gaining knowledge for the betterment of society and environment, to acquiring pieces of paper in the name of “degrees” to be flouted for securing employment. While the undertakings related to the generation and dissemination of knowledge was deemed as a service to society, education has now been reduced to a mere business with focus on quantitative measures rather than the qualitative aspects. Institutions tend to clone industries, where a student equals raw material that needs to be processed into a fine, ‘market-friendly product’ at the end of their educational rat race, expected to conform to the prescribed standards. The products (read graduates) are subsequently immersed in fulfilling their duties and repetitive actions for years to come, accruing reserves in anticipation of a peaceful retirement. This system leaves little or no room for retrospection and introspection towards personal growth and societal reform.