PHILOSOPHY OF EDUCATION
“Culture and Curriculum”
INSIGHT #14
Prachana was always excited to go her parents' library. It had two sections. But Mamma’s was bigger. She noticed that each had specific collections.
Prachana often thought “What kind of library will I build?” Although she knew her answer would keep evolving.
While browsing through Mamma’s books, One topic struck her and that was ‘Tribal Culture’ in the ‘Jungle, Rural & Urban Cultures’ Section. Whenever Prachana curiosity worm was unearthed, Gowri took enough time to explain things to her but now she seemed too busy writing with great concentration.
She thought loud “How can there be a culture in jungles? I thought it is only the law of the jungle that works there! Survival of the fittest. What sort of a culture is that!? Anyway… Will ask Mamma when she is free.”
She slowly pulled out the book without disturbing Mamma. The cover of the book had a beautiful photograph of a tribal couple laughing their heart out looking at the camera. They had very beautiful patterns on their faces and wore ornaments made of nails, teeth, and bones of animals. The picture was so lively that they almost jumped out of the book.
A loud expression came out from Prachana unknowingly “Oh! My God!”
That got Gowri’s attention and she asked “What happened, Prachana!”
Gowri had figured out the reason for Prachana's expression when she saw the book in her hand and said, “Yes. They look very different and they have their own culture which might seem weird to us. But then, they also feel the same looking at us living like machines.
Culture is indeed a common factor whether it is Jungle or Village or a City, though they mean very different for each of them.” Prachana looked at Gowri with her mouth and eyes wide open.
"You can borrow this book for a week” Gowri told her. Prachana got excited and hugged her Mamma and ran off to bed saying thank you.
Sitting on her bed, she thought “Why the library does not have any books other than environment and art? Are they not interested? Are they too busy for anything else in the world?”
That night Prachana woke up hearing a shrill and loud music band close to her ear. It was Sarvaa singing and making sounds of many jungle instruments with his hands, feet, and mouth. Sort of a one-man-band. All simultaneously. He is in Tribal attire, feather cap, and a colorful flowing robe with a thousand multicolor patches. He looked almost like the man she saw on the cover of the book. He was gyrating at high speed and laughing in between the song. Seeing Sarvaa in this Avatar, Prachana was shocked and excited at the same time.
Prachana shouted over the cacophony “What is all this, Sarvaa!? You scared me to death!”
Sarvaa stopped spinning, singing, and said “But still you are alive and excited. That is the power of native art and culture.”
Then he made a funny but wild gesture and he became his real self. He was panting. He asked, “Liked my performance?”. He looked at Prachana expectantly hoping that she would appreciate him. But Prachana faked dissatisfaction. Sarvaa knew she wanted him to change the subject.
Sarvaa sat on the chair and contemplated for a few minutes with closed eyes like a stage actor prepares to go on the stage before performing a change of role.
He picked up the Book on the Tribals from the table and said “This has filled your mind and that was exactly the reason I thought of entertaining you the same way. Obviously I failed thoroughly.” He sat with a long face but secretly looking at Prachana to see her reaction. Prachana got up from the bed and went near Sarvaa to pacify him.
Prachana said ‘Sarvaa, you were great as the tribal. You could get an Oscar for Costume if there was a Tribal Oscar.” They both broke into loud laughter.
Sarvaa held Prachana close to him and said “Look, Prachana. I understand your curiosity. Why your Mamma’s and Pappa’s libraries have only specific books dedicated to their specific interests only.” Prachana nodded.
Sarvaa continued “Today I will talk about the connection between culture and curriculum.”
Prachana jumped back onto the bed and sat cross-legged. She is all ears.
Sarvaa started “Actually your curiosity gave me the idea to share something very important with you. It is about how culture decided curriculum. But then that is too broad and wide, right?” Prachana nodded in agreement.
Prachana said “Sarvaa, I am confused. What is culture when it comes to curriculum?”
Sarvaa “Okay. Let me tell you a general definition. Culture is the beliefs and practices of a given group or society.”
Prachana retorted “But, how can all the beliefs and practices of a group be included in a curriculum? For example, how can the pleasures of the family be taught in school? It could include those topics that are considered immoral or trivial or banal.”
Sarvaa replied “You are right as always. That brings us to our narrower definition of culture. And that is…” Sarvaa stopped for a moment waiting to see whether Prachana was following him.
Prachana shook Sarvaa’s knee and asked “That is...? What?” Sarvaa smiled acting as though just woke up from a slumber.
Sarvaa continued “And that is… the intellectual and artistic beliefs of a given group or society.”
Sarvaa turned to Prachana and asked, “Now it is better, right?” Prachana didn’t react.
She said “I am not convinced, Sarvaa.”
Sarvaa asked, “Why?”
Prachana said “That is still too broad. How do you think it is possible to understand the entire intellectual and artistic beliefs in just those few hours we have at schools or colleges?”
Sarvaa agreed “You have a point.”
He thought for a moment looking straight to Prachana’s eyes. Then scratched his head and said, “How about choosing only the best intellectual and artistic beliefs and practices of a given group of people or society?”
Prachana’s eyes brightened and she looked at Sarvaa thoughtfully for a moment.
Then she said, “Yes. That makes sense. But then, how do we even choose that?”. Prachana and Sarvaa looked at each other and smiled.
Sarvaa held Prachana’s shoulders and said slowly but decisively “The best that has been thought and known.”
Prachana asked “But then, how do we choose the best?”
Sarvaa said “The students should have enough depth of understanding to choose. For example, just by learning about a few battles by some Lords and Kings need not help them engage critically with history.”
Prachana was concentrating and was trying to assimilate what Sarvaa just said.
Sarvaa continued “The scope and complexity of culture demand proper understanding about the breadth of it to make a choice.”
Prachana could relate these words ‘depth and breadth of understanding’ from what she learnt earlier. She could connect and felt happy.
Before Prachana could react by saying that she has understood the whole thing, Sarvaa said “But then, the important point here is that everything need not be relevant to all. So, find out the connection. Is it relevant to each other? What is relevant to one need not be relevant to other.”
It was evident from Prachana’s expression that her clarity got blurred.
Sarvaa continued “Don’t you worry my child. It is simple. Just check whether what we learn within the school or University holds interest through the education and beyond or not.”
Prachana seemed to get the point. She said “That means, Pappa and Mamma chose their curriculum based on how they wanted to live their life. Right?”
Picking up the Tribal Culture Book, Sarvaa said “Yes. Probably this must be the book that triggered your Mamma to open up her entire new world where she is in right now.”
Prachana said “Yes. Possible. She was holding this book close to her chest for a moment remembering smiling and asked me why I picked this book.”
Sarvaa said “That means, getting initiated to one aspect in the process of education opens you up to understand the whole universe of that particular aspect.”
Prachana smiled and agreed and took that book lovingly.
“And finally, understand this. The best for you need not be the best for others. So choosing from the choices offered to you giving some reason or the other as seen by others may be a trap.”
Prachana suddenly asked, ”But where is ‘curriculum’ coming in all this?”
Sarvaa said, “That is the point. The choices you made by narrowing down the scope of culture make the ideal Curriculum with a focus on your aim and interests in life.”
Prachana’s eyes widened. She seems to have got the idea.
Sarvaa asked “My child, you are very ready to choose your dream and start working on it. It is your dream. Not mine or your Mamma’s or your Papa’s. Choose something you can carry blissfully all through your life. David and Gowri are great role models. But they are not you in the future. You can be only you in the future. So prepare for it.” Saying this, Sarvaa held his right hand on her head. The moment it touched her head, he vanished and the room went dark. And Prachana went back to sleep satisfied but she knew she has a huge responsibility for herself.
End of Insight #14
#learning_from_my_child
#philosophy_of_education
#education
No comments:
Post a Comment