“Education should actually help a person to enjoy their life but it changes as we start focusing on secondary things. So, it is important that education help a person to become good human being along with being academically excellent, said Dr Hari Om, IAS, Secretary, GAD, Government of Uttar Pradesh.
“In a survey conducted recently, India has gone down by seven positions in terms happiness index,” he added.
He was speaking during the 10th School Leadership Summit Lucknow March 2019. Showing his concern over the continuously deteriorating quality of education, Dr Om said, “In terms of global education index, India is at 130th position. Around 30 percent of children are not getting primary education as either they are drop outs or can’t get themselves enrolled in schools. We used to be known as “Jagat Guru” in ancient times and we not to cherish our golden past with an eye on present. Rather than ignoring the problem, we must find out its solution.”
He also insisted on defining the objective of the education. According to him, “Another important thing is to define the objective of the education. Currently, the sole objective of the education is to get a job. But, we need to focus on physical education, extracurricular activities, and moral education along with academics. Students are overburdened with study and that’s why they have no time for such essential things.”
“A renowned school can be good name as far as education market is concerned but most of the educational institutes in the country are still required to prove their importance for betterment of society. Education is not meant only for getting job rather an educated person must help society to gain new heights. We must remember that life should not be confined within the books but a person must enjoy every other aspect of it as well,” he added.
Remembering Mahatama Gautam Buddha, Dr Om said, “In the time of Mahatama Buddha, the education was not used to be given within walls rather students used to interact with nature while enhancing their academic skills.” He also gave examples of Rabindra Nath Tagore and Mahatama Gandhi who always advocated imparting education in natural environment.
Dr Om also suggested imparting basic education related to Indian culture, traditions and customs that may help students know our history and also have respect for it. He said, “Hindi is our mother tongue but for most of the students, it is difficult to speak Hindi for long. Moreover, they must not aware about which fruit is placed in front of them rather they must be aware that what processes or efforts are required to get that food.”
He also discussed the relevancy of current syllabus during the summit. According to him, “There are various topics which are irrelevant for students of any class. Most of the topics or chapters in different classrooms do not help inculcating any kind of values among students. At the same time, they are irrelevant for their professional life ahead. So, it is important to inculcate moral values and life skills among the students.”
