“Education is… preparing for Life!” - INSIGHT #11

 

PHILOSOPHY OF EDUCATION

 “Education is… preparing for Life!”

 INSIGHT #11

 While Prachana was enjoying her dinner she heard a stern voice from her mother “David, how many times I have to tell you? No mobiles while eating.” She picked up the mobile and left it on the shelf. When she looked up, she was amused to see her father skulking, which happens only very rarely. He was busy watching some video.

David tried to give some excuse “Look, Gowri! Today is my masterclass and I need to prepare for that. This is going to change my profile big time internationally. And I can start working with Art Collectors across the world!” A nonchalant Gowri ignored that and continued eating with fake anger.

David continued “Gowri, please…”. She replied in a determined tone “No”.

Prachana finished and went up. She overheard her mother saying “David, please understand. We should be role models to our child. Apart from that, you know I am also pursuing my Ph.D. I am preparing a very important paper for World Environment Forum. But I always ensure a proper decorum at home.” David said, “I am sorry, Gowri”.

This rarely happened at home. Prachana thought ‘why should they still be studying at this age especially when her father was an accomplished and much-reputed artist and her mother was a much-respected professor in a nearby University. What was the need for them to study!’

This thought ate her up while she slowly slipped into a deep sleep.

As expected, Sarvaa promptly appeared. This time, he was wearing a multi-coloured graduation cap and a graduation ceremony coat. He was holding the coveted degree rolled in hand. Prachana was in deep sleep. A patient Sarvaa decided to wait. He also slowly slipped into sleep and the paper roll fell and made some sound enough to wake up Prachana.

She turned over and looked at Sarvaa in half-sleep. She got up smiling and rubbing her eyes.

Sarvaa came straight to the point as he felt he lost a lot of time, “I couldn’t wait to tell you the good news. I got a Ph.D. in parapsychology just now.”

A confused Prachana asked “You too Sarvaa! Why are you still studying? That is meant for us young kids, right?”

Smiling, Sarvaa took off the colourful cap and the overcoat. They both just vanished. But the Degree he was holding was still on the floor.

She took it up and as she was about to open, Sarvaa stopped “Let us talk. I didn’t expect that question or any such doubt at least from you. You are a smart child of very smart parents. I know you have many questions.”

Prachana, though a little embarrassed, asked in a funny way “Sarvaa, can’t I even get confused? What for are you, then? My all-knowing mentor?”

Sarvaa stood up and started walking up and down talking to Prachana.

“My Child, you need to understand that, education is not meant only for those in the so-called student age.” Prachana is all ears and excited to conceive what Sarvaa was saying.

“Education is a preparation for life.” Saying this, Sarvaa paused. As expected, Prachana’s face was full of questions that nothing was coming out.

Sarvaa continued “And for you to understand that, there are different aspects to life. And these are, liberal, civic, and vocational.”  Sarvaa was sure that those terms were too high for Prachana. So he continued without waiting for Prachana’s reaction.

Sarvaa said “The liberal aspect of education is nothing but empowering a person to appreciate their own potential in life and at the same time understanding the culture of the community that person belongs. That will help them to make informed choices and decisions about the direction their life should take that person.” Prachana, though not too clear seemed to get a hang of what Sarvaa was saying. So she just nodded.

Sarvaa continued “Civic aspect is all about that person’s role as a citizen who votes and takes part in politics, is active doing activities, voluntary or charitable.” Prachana is getting it now.

Before Sarvaa could continue, Prachana jumped in, “Being liberal in life means I should be educated enough to decide which direction my life should go.” Sarvaa felt very happy. He waited for her to continue.

Prachana continued “Civic aspect of life is essentially becoming useful to the society by being a part of the overall nation governing machine.” Sarvaa smiled and extended her hand to shake. A thrilled Prachana took his hand a shook wildly. Sarvaa acred as though his hand was paining. She suddenly stopped and took a deep breath and asked

‘And the third aspect? Vocational, right?”

Sarvaa smiled and cleared his throat. He said “Vocational aspect is all about contributing to the growth of the nation by way of being a paid employee or self-employed.”

Sarvaa continued “I know it is a little too much for you to digest now. But you are smart… When you wake up, everything will be clear to you. It is almost morning now.” 

Without waiting, Sarvaa vanished. In the starlight, she could see the rolled degree Certificate. She opened it and saw writing in bold calligraphic style got revealed.

“Education is... preparing for Life!”

 

End of Insight #11

 

#learning_from_my_child

#philosophy_of_education

#education

 

Reference : C Winch