“Jnánam: asimam shàshwätham cha”{Knowledge-which is limitless and boundless}; the befitting reply which made lord Vishnu win the duopoly power struggle with lord Brahma was the prime concept on which the ancient Indian education system was based upon. But this unique model of schooling received a setback, once the Colonial administration established their education system in india. At the 75th year of independence, we need to adapt our knowledge environment to the fast growing world, so as to empower India to become the ‘Vishwa Guru’ of the world.
The traditional method of brick and mortar learning in India has succeeded in creating only BABUS’ while the world needs critical multi functioneries. At This point, STEM education acquires utmost importance and the NEP 2020 is a good move in this direction. The policy advocated unique and selective courses for each student to suit his or her own aspirations and inclinations. But as a young Indian, I feel that much more can be done. Why can’t we give a real life prospect to education by training them for a globalised world at the very childhood.
One suggestion is that schools can be converted into local innovative hubs- with students and teachers collaborating to introduce new ideas or product designs( IT, arts, fashion or any such kind), with every district having a regional headquarters to coordinate such activities of the district. This can be further integrated into a national grid, so that every deserving project gets adequate regard and recognition. At Least 2 of the 5 working days per week in school can be spent for this purpose, while the rest for other curricular activities. This way, the young generation of India will be nurtured at a very young age to be pioneers in this era of information boom.
This sort of transformative education is the need of the hour in a nation, where people discourage non- science students. But all such initiatives need to be implemented only after the current educational infrastructure (which is highly inadequate) is developed to global standards. Such initiatives to develop human capital would take India to the helm of this world, and help us achieve our Amrit kaal 2047 objective – to become a global knowledge superpower.
