“Injustice in Education!?” - INSIGHT #9

PHILOSOPHY OF EDUCATION

“Injustice in Education!?” 

INSIGHT #9

Sun had almost set, and unlike on a normal day, it was late that day when Prachana returned from her regular trek through the jungle track. Today she had a companion too, a sixteen-year-old girl Elsa, who studied in a nearby Government School in the tenth grade.

After Sarvaa had advised Prachana to have some social acquaintances and friends, she ensured to consciously connect with those who shared her interests. With this new friend, it was trekking.

“Sis, thank you so much for inviting me to your house for a sleepover and convincing my Amma and Appa, despite my Raakshas brother’s efforts to thwart the idea!” Elsa said holding Prachana’s hand.

Prachana replied “Look here Elsa, it is simple. First of all, your brother is not a monster. He is just concerned about your safety. Moreover, he doesn’t know me much. Don’t worry. Your parents are fine, right?”. Elsa nodded in agreement. Both continued walking.

Prachana asked, “Do you know why I invited you to sleep over tonight?” Elsa nodded sideways.

Prachana continued “I want you to meet someone and ask the question you asked me.”

Elsa asked “What question?”

Prachana replied “You said there is injustice in education, which I don’t believe. But I can’t explain. I have a secret mentor who answers all my doubts. I love him. He is like an ancient wise man we have heard about in legends and epics. He is so sweet. A lovable all-knowing great great great grand Pa! You will also love him! He comes exactly at 3 am in the night.” Elsa stopped and hesitated to go walk.

Prachana asked her “What happened?”.

A confused Elsa asked “Are you serious? That old man will answer my silly question?”

“No question is silly,” Prachana said imitating Sarvaa's style to Elsa.

A deep voice chuckled from behind. As the voice was familiar to Prachana she turned around and exclaimed "Woah, you are early!". Elsa screamed in fear hid behind Prachana.

Sarvaa continued. “Like every problem has a solution, every question that comes in your mind deserves an answer.” Prachana pulls her out from behind and made her stand in front of her holding her shoulders. She introduced both gesturing with her hands.

“Sarvaa, Elsa. Elsa, Sarvaa.” Elsa slowly became comfortable and loosened a bit but secretly wondered where he came from all of a sudden. They smiled at each other and greeted.

Sarvaa said “Listen, little one, those who don’t ask questions only end up silly in front of others all through their life. So, shoot.”

Sarvaa’s warmth on his countenance and body language made Elsa very relaxed. She asked “Sarvaa, can I also call you Sarvaa as Sis calls?’ Both Sarvaa and Prachana laughed out and Sarvaa nodded in agreement. Sarvaa's eyes disappeared as he fondly smiled.

“Sarvaa, why there is so much injustice in education? Especially at school? Leave alone at home compared to my brother? He always scored hundred in hundred in maths and teachers expect me to do the same though I get excellent marks in English and I get first prize in poetry writing every year. Moreover, my teachers and parents are asking me to attend more Maths extra classes instead of writing poems! WHY why does this happen!!” Elsa finished everything in one breath.

Her voice had a touch of anger and sadness as well. She paused for a moment and took a deep breath and looked at Prachana and Sarvaa one by one. They both were silent.

Elsa, embarrassed at the silence, asked hesitantly “Is it… Is it not injustice in education?”

Prachana and Sarvaa looked at each other and smiled and then both looked at Elsa with great empathy. Then Prachana looked at Sarvaa with expectations.

“Look here, Elsa! Your anger is justified to a certain level. But then, believe me, when I say, it is not anyone’s making. Each human is uniquely made. In your school system, it is just that some children perform better than others, in any given area of human endeavour. If this is the case in your own house where you both are born to the same parents, think of those who are born in different places to different parents with different backgrounds!”

Wonderstruck, Prachana and Elsa looked at each other. Prachana felt proud that Elsa has started getting an answer to her question. They both looked up at Sarvaa in awe, wanting to hear more.

Sarvaa continued “We also need to accept that some people have more innate capabilities to achieve more in education compared to others who do not have that many capabilities.  Condemning the large segment of our population to ignorance and cultural deprivation is indeed the unjustifiable inequality of educational opportunity in reality.”

Sarvaa drives the point more clearly. “Know this. Both of you. The concept of Education emphasises knowledge and understanding as intrinsically valuable for everybody. And Inequality is not inherent in that concept.”

Both Prachana and Elsa seem to have got a clear idea about Elsa’s question. And they are very happy.

Sarvaa continued “Let me expand it a bit. Though the central concern for the school be education as the same is of immense value for everybody, it does not mean that the schools should not be concerned about other matters. Role of education in a person’s life and the community is not the same as the role of a school in society.”

Holding Elsa tight, Prachana said “Sarvaa, we both will try to make others understand this and try to help them excel in what they are best at and not try to become like others. Thank you, Sarvaa.”

"It is late. Go home. And enjoy your sleepover. I will not come tonight.” Sarvaa vanished. Elsa couldn't believe what just happened and they just realised how dark it had become. Gripping Elsa's Palm securely Prachana ran home. 

End of Insight #9 

Reference : R S Peter’s Analysis of ‘Education’

#learning_from_my_child

#philosophy_of_education

#education

“The final criterion for 'Education'!” - INSIGHT #8

 PHILOSOPHY OF EDUCATION

 “The final criterion for 'Education'!”

 INSIGHT #8

Prachana has been reading the books she got from the library all day long, sitting, standing, walking, hanging upside down, she never kept them down! She felt overwhelmed by reading all those books and was not getting enough of any of them. Her mother had to drag her out to eat food!

By night, though she was tired, she stacked all the books neatly on her table before lying down. The orange ‘Book of Knowledge’ was kept facing the bed so that she could fall asleep watching it, secretly hoping knowledge could be transferred to the mind by air!

She woke up hearing some noise. She saw Sarvaa sitting at the edge of her chair and hurriedly shuffling all the books trying to put them in some order. He looked thoroughly confused. In between, he picked up the Book of Knowledge and stared at it, and then kept it back. He continued shuffling the books like a pack of playing cards with his huge palms. Prachana didn’t notice that he was looking at her through the corner of his eye and chuckling internally.

Prachana, lifting herself, asked Sarvaa in a tired tone “What are you doing with my books, Sarvaa!? And, why do you look so confused!?”

The books flew in the air and collapsed on the floor from Sarvaa's hand when he heard her voice.  Prachana quickly jumped out of the bed and started picking up the books. She stacked it all again neatly on the table. Sarvaa, who was sitting calm, handed over the Book of Knowledge with a smile. Prachana was annoyed and stood akimbo staring at Sarvaa demanding to know why he has made such a mess today. Sarvaa acted as though he was terrified. A few moments passed in awkward silence. The chair Sarvaa sat in squealed when he leaned back away from an adorably angry little Prachana. The noise made both laugh out loud. Prachana, without any warning, hugged Sarvaa. Sarvaa affectionately patted her back, stood up, and made her sit on the chair.

Sarvaa said, “You look very tired, Child... I can understand. You were very eager to learn everything and could not learn anything. Right?”

Prachana’s smile vanished. She felt embarrassed, disappointed, and sad. Not being able to face him, she just nodded. Sarvaa sat beside her and lifted her chin up and smiled.

Sarvaa said “My child, you are not the first one to get overwhelmed seeing the wealth of Value and Knowledge available to you to achieve what you want to achieve.” Prachana’s expression changed from that of sadness to curiosity.

Sarvaa continued “And for that, you need to do certain tasks in a certain way.”

Though those words from Sarvaa didn’t sink in well for Prachana , her expression changed as though telling Sarvaa “I am all ears”. She pulled up her feet and sat cross-legged as a disciple sits in front of a Guru.

Sarvaa said, “Relax! You can’t achieve everything before the sunrise. So, listen to me calmly and carefully.” Prachana instantly shook her head in agreement.

Sarvaa continued “Listen. Now you know you need to achieve two things. Value and Knowledge. And for that, you need to go through a procedure and there are many. The first step is to understand what you want to achieve. Then the procedure you choose has to help you achieve that. Did you understand?”

Prachana already started counting the processes she knew with her fingers saying, “I have heard, in schools and colleges, they teach, instruct and they pass exams. With that, they achieve what they want. Right?”

Sarvaa answered in a doubtful tone “You are right, but…” He paused for a moment.

Prachana asked, “But… ?”

Sarvaa continued “Such activities, or processes are legion. You cannot name them all. Almost anything can be counted as a procedure as long as…” Again Sarvaa stopped to see whether Prachana is attentive enough to understand.

“As long as? Tell me, Sarvaa!” Prachana was impatient.

Sarvaa said “As long as you ensure that, the procedure helps get the educationally valuable achievement. And…” Sarvaa paused again which made Prachana even more impatient. She got up and stood in front of Sarvaa as though demanding an answer.

Sarvaa continued “and… that needs to be voluntary. Never to be forced upon the learner. But yes, there are situations wherein a learner is conditioned or indoctrinated, or even brainwashed so that the learner cannot resists coercion.”Prachana felt sad even imagining such a scenario. Sarvaa looked at her straight in her eyes and told very seriously “They are not educational procedures at all. So this criterion tells us only what is not permitted.”

Prachana responded, “I understand, Sarvaa!”

Sarvaa continued “Now that you know that there is a procedure of education to achieve the Value and Knowledge, I will put that in one sentence. Listen and follow me carefully, sentence by sentence.”

He prepared himself and started.

“Education is the achievement of a desirable state of mind…” he paused in anticipation for Prachana’s expression of understanding and then continued.

“…characterised by knowledge and understanding in breadth and depth with cognitive perspective and…” he looked at her again. She nodded. And he continued.

“…by corresponding appropriate emotions and attitudes, these brought about, deliberately,…” Sarvaa paused and asked, “Are you following?” Prachana in intense concentration and recording everything in her mind said, “Yes”.

Sarvaa “…brought about deliberately in a manner not to infringe upon the voluntariness and willingness…”

Prachana closed Sarvaa’s mouth with her hand and said loud “…on the part of the learner. Right?”.

A very happy Sarvaa stood up and said “You got it! You are very smart. Now you should ensure that the other learners like you also understand this important rule in education.”

As she kept looking at Sarvaa with great love, affection, and respect, the room went dark. It was time for her to go back to sleep and wake up with a crystal clear mind.

 

End of Insight #8

 

Reference : R S Peter’s Analysis of ‘Education’

 

#learning_from_my_child

#philosophy_of_education

#education

“Can there be Education without Knowledge?” - INSIGHT #7

PHILOSOPHY OF EDUCATION

 “Can there be Education without Knowledge?”

  INSIGHT #7

Prachana returned from her monthly visit to the Book Lending Library in the nearby town carrying a bunch of books on varying topics. This has been her practice for the last few years once she started traveling alone through the deserted 2 km forest tracks. That day, she could not forget the incident that happened at the library.

Michael Chacha, the one who runs the fairly large library used to suggest her books to read by guiding her to any row of shelves. Most of the time, her choices were random. But today, when she stood in front of him in anticipation, he didn’t say anything. Instead, he looked over his shoulder to an old man with a long beard sitting at a table behind him. That man had an uncanny resemblance to Sarvaa. Without even looking up, he hand gestured Michael Chacha to give the books which were kept on his table, to Prachana. Michael Chacha picked up those books and gave them to Prachana. She felt a little weird. Without looking at the titles, she picked up all the books and walked home.

She was eager to reach home and see the new selection of books given by the old man. After a quick dinner standing in the kitchen, she rushed to her room upstairs. She spread all the books on the bed. She was amazed at the selection of the books. They varied from Mythology to Biographies to Cooking to Paintings to Theatre to Sports to Science. She was thrilled. She didn’t know which one to pick up. One bright orange-coloured book caught her attention. The title of the book was artistically etched in gold “The Book of Knowledge”. Holding that book on her chest, she lied on top of all the books. She slowly slipped into a deep sleep. It was earlier than the normal time of her sleep.

She woke up when she felt the book being pulled out. When the last finger gave way, she woke up in a shock. In one brisk move she stood up on the right side of the bed. She didn’t see anyone but the usual light of Sarvaa was present in the room. Seeing her shock, he smiles mildly. He made the sound of the book closing with a bang. Again, Prachana turned in the direction of the sound quickly to see Sarvaa holding the Orange Book. Smiling, he asked her to sit on the chair and he picked up all the books and kept all of them on the table, one top of the other neatly, except the Orange book.

Showing the cover of the book to Prachana, he said “My Child, Knowledge is wealth. Equal to the Values though that doesn’t imply education. Education without knowledge is futile. Knowledge without understanding is meaningless.”

A confused Prachana sat still on her straight back chair looking straight at Sarvaa who is now sitting comfortably on her bed with one leg over the other.

Showing all those stacked books, Prachana asked “I have no clue about any of these! I have seen some folk performances of tribals but I don’t know acting or drama! Though I am healthy, I don’t know much about sports. I love paintings, but I can’t paint. I like reading Biographies but I don’t know how it is useful to me. I cook a bit but not like Mamma who experiments with recipes of her own.”

Sarvaa said “That is where the point lies, Child. The word Knowledge came from the Greek word Gnosis which means knowing through observation or experience. These books will give you the know-how to observe, experience and get trained in all those things you said.”

An excited Prachana suddenly said “Yes… I will learn all these and….” Sarvaa stopped her exciting speech by showing his hand.

He said, “With this, you will only get a broad idea about a broad range of subjects. But, that is important. Your knowledge should be broad. Not narrow and limited.”

Prachana nodded her head hesitantly. It is evident she is either not convinced or understood.

Sarvaa continued “Don’t mistake between education and training. They are distinctly different. While training is something that is done with a specific goal, education is about understanding something. Understanding Painting is different from getting trained to do a great painting. Right?”

Prachana’s face brightened up.

Sarvaa raised his hand again and said “It doesn’t end there. Knowledge about a plethora of subjects, however broad that is, is not enough to consider one as an educated person. Any breadth of knowledge without deeper understanding is not genuine knowledge.”

Prachana’s tight sitting pose got a little loose but an expression-less face. Sarvaa really could not understand whether that was a positive sign or negative. Now it was Sarvaa’s turn to get confused.

Sarvaa paused for a moment, took a deep breath. Prachana found that amusing. She giggled. Sarvaa got relaxed.

He said “Listen, in simple terms, knowing something and understanding the same by reasoning makes you an educated person.” He waited for a moment looking at Prachana’s face hoping for some expression.  Prachana smiled and nodded briskly.

A happy Sarvaa continued “So, the breadth and depth of your knowledge help you see things in a new and different perspective. That helps you to become committed to the pursuit of the underlying truth.”

Prachana stood up and went near Sarvaa who kept both his hands on her shoulders.

Sarvaa looked at her face intently and said, “That is what makes an educated person different from an uneducated one.”

Sarvaa handed over the orange book of “Knowledge” to Prachana.  

Before vanishing, Sarvaa said “Getting educated is not as simple as that. It is achieving something. And that is a task about which, we will discuss next time.”

End of Insight #7

 

Reference : R S Peter’s Analysis of ‘Education’

 #learning_from_my_child

#philosophy_of_education

#education

 

Values? In Education? Tell me more, please! - INSIGHT #6

PHILOSOPHY OF EDUCATION

 “Values? In Education? Tell me more, please!”

  INSIGHT #6

 That day, after lunch. Prachana was feeling very low. One specific conversation with one of her newfound friends was very disturbing for her. Though she tried to argue a lot, she could not convince him that there was more to what he said. She went to the riverside and sat on a rock with her legs in the flowing water. She thought that could calm her. But it didn’t. Before sunset, she went back home. She kept telling herself,

“Why did he feel like that? I am sure he has lost the plot of his life.”. Without her knowledge, she was speaking loud this time. Hearing this, her mother got worried.

Mother asked “Prachana, what happened? Who has lost the plot of life?”

Prachana said, “It's nothing, Mamma. It seems I have started seeing the world”. Saying this, she went to her room upstairs and tried to forget about it by reading some storybook.

All through her dinner, though she acted as though she was alright, Mamma is always Mamma. She said, “I know you are still concerned about something. Honey, things are not always as it seems. By morning you will be alright. Now, go and have a nice sleep. Goodnight”.  She kissed or Prachana’s forehead who smiled and hugged her Mamma.

Prachana woke up hearing loud hollow snoring to see Sarvaa sitting in her chair with his head bent backward with an open mouth. He opened his right eye and looked at Prachana with a smile but continued snoring even louder. He wants Prachana to get up and wake him up. When she went near him and almost touch him, he woke up with a smile. Shocked, she fell back on the bed. Sarvaa laughed out loud.

“My Child! I know why you are so much concerned about your new friend. And you are right. You have started seeing the real world. Yes. Your friend indeed lost the plot, but not of his life. He couldn’t understand the value aspect in education”.

Prachana looked at him intently hoping to hear from him more about this new word ‘value’ connected with education.

Sarvaa continued, “Look here. He thought Education is merely a tool or instrument to do things with, such as to succeed in getting a job or provide one with a skill to obtain extrinsic ends”.

Knowing Sarvaa a little better by now, Prachana understood where he was getting to.

Sarvaa said “Child, Education is essentially meant to reform you to become a better person. Better in what? Not for doing bad things that make society bad or hurt others. It is all about adding value to you for doing desirable things in a better way. The knowledge and understanding you will possess once you get educated become, a part of your personality. That will make you wise enough to understand what is of ultimate value. That means….” Sarvaa stopped expecting Prachana to continue.

“Education implies Value. Entirely! I got it” Prachana said with great confidence and excitement.

Sarvaa smiled and said, “No! You are not entirely right!”. That response from Sarvaa surprised Prachana.

Sarvaa continued “Education implies value, for sure. But the same need not be true the other way. All Values need not be educational. Like eating, relaxing, and playing games are all valuable. But they are not educational”.

Prachana was not fully convinced. She felt there was something more to it. Sarvaa anticipated that.

“I love dancing. I love swimming across that river out there. I run around and listen to birds. I am lucky to have all that here. But what about those friends of mine who are not as lucky as me. And they are so valuable for all Right? Don’t you think those should be a part of education in Schools?”

Sarvaa felt very proud seeing her empathy for her peers.

Handing over a fluorescent green coloured card to her he said, “Child, You earned this. This is the ‘Value’ Card for you to keep safely accessible easily when we talk about the other two criteria”. A well-decorated calligraphically written word ‘VALUES’ was written in golden letters.

Sarvaa continued “ Coming back to your question, yes. You are indeed right. But then, to ensure that, there is another requirement which takes us to the second card, the Knowledge Criterion”. He still had two more cards with him an Orange and a Royal Blue one.

A satisfied but still eager Prachana kept her right hand on her heart and bowed down to Sarvaa with closed eyes. When she rose and opened her eyes it was all dark and Sarvaa was gone.

End of Insight #6 

Reference : R S Peter’s Analysis of ‘Education’.

#learning_from_my_child

#philosophy_of_education

#education