By Saanvi Tripuramallu
Education is monotonous. Students learn passively and lack critical thinking skills. The five-paragraph essay structure is engraved in students’ minds that the idea of starting from it evokes discomfort and fear. Where did the creativity go? How can education change the future if it only teaches one to recognize problems and solve them without originality? How can the world advance if everyone is taught to think the same and have the same approach?
I have heard of brilliant mathematicians who failed school not because they weren’t brilliant, but because the education system could not understand theirs. Why does the education system disadvantage those that think differently rather than embrace their originality? Why can’t schools foster talents and skills AND teach them academic subjects?
The current education system teaches students about methods and discoveries from generations ago. They are taught using methods that aren’t used today. Subjects like science are constantly changing and adapting- new discoveries are made every day. Why can’t they be used while teaching? If only the old are taught, then students can’t advance and change the world. Our world is dependent on technology and that should be reflected in what students are taught. Students should be taught how to type, and use a computer; they should be taught how to use online platforms rather than be thrown into a world that expects them to know when they don’t.
Education reform is important as every student should feel valued and appreciated for who they are, even if they can’t do differential calculus or memorize definitions. Education should be personalized rather than the same for every student and not every student is the same. The education system is linear and plots every student against another using merit-based teaching.
The ideal education lets students explore various fields of study and gain experience in work. Students can explore career options that interest them, and gain field experience. The reality is that liking a subject or
profession does not equal liking the career path. Gaining experience lets the student decide if the path they choose is for them. Also, students should have the opportunity to learn subjects that are not traditionally taught in schools such as sociology or politics, to gain a wider understanding of the world and the options that are open to them.
Students should not have to leave behind extracurricular because of school, but encourage students to do more. Extracurricular activities can provide time to relax or learn new skills that aren’t taught in school. For example, learning music helps develop the brain and opens a new way of thinking. Learning a new language can open up opportunities and engage parts of the brain that weren’t before.
The ideal school realizes that not all students are the same and hence the same approach to learning won’t work. School should be more personalized for each student. Schools shouldn’t have to hold back highly
academic students, so others can catch up, but they also shouldn’t make students feel bad for struggling.
School should not cause anxiety or stress; “Studies Show Normal Children Today Report More Anxiety than Child Psychiatric Patients in the 1950’s”, this shows that our education system is only dragging us down. Being
exposed to high levels of stress and anxiety conditions students to live that way. Students will end up being only able to function in high pressure environments, which can lead to health problems.
We should cultivate innovation, and critical thinking as well as teach morals and values.
Only those with the ability to differentiate between right and wrong, and who can see an opportunity to help people, can create a better society. “Education without morals is like a ship without a compass, merely wandering nowhere.”