“Understand the Aims of Education”
INSIGHT #12
Prachana was excited to see Akbar Uncle when she came
home after trek. For her, he is an encyclopedia that gets updated every
minute. He is a very powerful but unassuming businessman known for his honesty,
helpfulness, and kindness. It is as though he had taken the responsibility of
proving that business can be clean and win-win for all. He built an empire
though he was not formally educated beyond 10th grade. Anybody who met him
became his friend because he could talk about anything under the sun to anybody
of any age. He has an aura of a respectable therapist. Her parents met Akbar
much before she was born at the Library in the town where Prachana now goes
regularly. His relationship with Prachana’s family was sustained all these years
because they had common value systems.
Like every time, Prachana and Akbar got locked in a
conversation and like every time, at the end of the conversation, he left
enough food for thought in her mind. This time it was a question.
Akbar asked her casually “What are the aims of
education?”. It sounded so simple and Prachana gave a silly expression and was
about to reply. Then he stopped her and said, “Think before you reply. Take
your time.”
Prachana realised that, both her parents were looking at
them smiling with an expression “He caught you today, dear!” Prachana got a
little perplexed and looked at them intently with an expression “What is there
to think about it!?”
Suddenly Akbar stood up to join them for dinner. At the
table, he told Prachana “I will give you a clue.” Pointing at each one, he said
“You know, David, Gowri, and I are from very different backgrounds and
traveling on very different paths. Yet, we are great friends for decades. Why?
Think about it.”
The question kept haunting her during dinner and till she
went to bed. She couldn’t sleep that night. She also hoped Sarvaa didn’t turn
up so that she could find the answer herself. Soon she slipped into a deep
sleep just before Sarvaa’s usual time.
She heard Sarvaa telling “My Child you are on your quest
to find your own answers, I am very happy! ” Prachana thought he was talking in
her dream. Didn’t realise that it was almost sunrise and yet Sarvaa was waiting
for her to wake up.
Sarvaa smiled and continued “Wash your face and come. I
will wait.” When she returned, she saw
three different Sarvaas. Though it looked creepy, it was funny too. All three
had the head of Sarvaa and the bodies were of Gowri, David, and Akbar!!!
Akbar Sarvaa said smiling “There was the answer in my
clue itself.” The other two looked at him and then looked at Prachana.
Akbar Sarvaa continued “I always had a knack for making
relationships and making that beneficial to both. I always believed in helping
others with whatever I have learned the hard way.”
David Sarvaa said “Prachana, I am an Artist today not by
compulsion. It was my choice. Observation was my Guru.” Prachana nodded and
said, “I understand!”
Gowri Sarvaa said “Oh! Dear! You know, I always loved
nature and though I knew our Mother Nature could take care of herself, I felt it
was my duty to ensure that we humans do not harm her. So, I did my research.”
All three of them merged with a bright cool light
emanating from the fusion. There stood Prachana’s beloved Sarvaa in his full
glory, smiling.
Sarvaa said, “I am sure you understood what all this drama
meant for you.” Prachana agrees with a nod but with an expression to know more
about it.
Sarvaa continued “Aim of education largely depends on the
Value. And that value comes from their background and thought process.”
“Though the value systems of each individual will be
different, we need to find out the common ones and use that to decide on the
aim of education.”
“In a nutshell, we can say that one of the main aims of
education should be autonomy. The ability to choose the direction of one’s
life.”
Prachana jumped up and said. “So, All three of them,
Mamma, Pappa and Uncle had full autonomy to choose what they want and run with
it. That is why they are so successful in their own area of interest of…”
Sarvaa raised his hand and stopped her “But there is a
catch. One’s choices should not be pre-determined with their religious or
otherwise thoughts, at an age when one is not yet ready to make such choices.”
Prachana’s face fell.
Sarvaa continued “For someone to become autonomous, they
must be presented with a range of meaningful life-choices and must have the
rational capacity to make a choice that suits their interests, values, and
abilities.”
Prachana continued looking at Sarvaa wanting to hear
more. He continued “Look closely at your parents and your Akbar Uncle. You will
find the answer in them. They knew what they wanted, they did what had to be
done, to become what they wanted. Simple. So…”
Prachana continued “So, one of the main aims of Education
is autonomy.”
They both smiled at each other. Sarvaa snapped his
fingers and vanished. But by that time, Sun had risen and Prachana was full of
energy though didn’t get good sleep.
End of Insight #12
#learning_from_my_child
#philosophy_of_education
#education
Reference : C Winch
No comments:
Post a Comment