Is Learning always torturous?

“The true purpose of education is to cherish and unfold the seed of immortality already sown within us; to develop, to their fullest extent, the capacities of every kind, which each one of us is naturally endowed with“.

Sounds misleading? Education in its traditional form, has historically received flak for failing to live up to its exalted status. Writers and rock stars have seldom agreed on anything but have readily blasted education systems (Remember the words of Mark Twain and Pink Floyd?); and I am not citing the last Apprentice stunt of pitching high school grads against college grads as a worthwhile reference However, it hasn’t stopped anyone from singing praises of education over getting none at all. Everyone still goes to school; everyone still wants to get an education which they later use to lambast education itself. Generations simply find new vocabulary to criticize the system once they are done but rarely has anyone stepped back to fix it. So what are we doing wrong anyways?

I am a firm believer in education, formal or otherwise and love to tell (to anyone who cares to listen) that we never stop learning even when we are out of school. So why do we not learn (in the strictest sense of the word) anything in the place where we are expected to; in school? I never learnt anything about life in school/college — is often the common complaints of new graduates. Why do we only remember horrific homework time, boring history lectures, fiercely and often unhealthy competitive spirit, monotonous rote-learning? Why is school synonymous with a necessary evil when in fact it should be a life-altering, pleasurable, and satisfying experience not only just in hindsight but also while we are at it?

Mankind has made tremendous strides in all aspects of his civilized life but somehow failed to address the basic need of man — to educate himself in an enjoyable manner. A complete individual in all respects of life is an accidental rarity when in fact, it need not be. Education need not be a chore but rather an experience that you look forward to every living moment especially in your formative years.

I look forward to making this chimerical dream into a reality someday. I am not kidding.

“Is Learning always torturous?” [Short URL: http://www.ipatrix.com/?p=1094] was published Thursday, January 27th, 2005 at 11:05 pm by Patrix, filed under Education, Personal, Recommended, and tagged as Education, education system, Personal, purpose of education, rote-learning. Both comments and linkbacks are closed.

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maya
patrix,i like this. i think indian education is really a lot of dead wood. at least u started a blog to crib abt it.
Havoc
I strongly believe that the examination format in India needs to be changed. We need to get out of the habit of writing long answers and focus on brevity. When I was in school (which is not that long back) , there was a direct relationship between the weight of the answer sheet and marks obtained. This has to change.
http://ash.typepad.com Ash
Interesting. I’ll definitely be following this blog.
Thought you might like this :

You can teach a student a lesson for a day; but if you can teach him to learn by creating curiosity, he will continue the learning process as long as he lives.
Bryan
Aaah…sticky subject! Are you going to focus on all systems of education or strictly the Indian Education System ? Despite all it’s drawbacks, the education that I received in India helped me beat the pants out of my american counterparts when it came to math, science, english grammar and plain old general knowledge !
http://ipatrix.com Patrix
Maya – Actually this blog has more to do than just crib.
Havoc – Good point. But descriptive answers cannot be wished away altogether…maybe the expected answers can be more analytical instead of purely descriptive.
Ash – That quote is exactly what I am trying to get at.
Bryan – I hope to draw on the best of both systems. Education in general will be the focus, which will be ultimately used to further a personal “ulterior motive”.
http://chetan.ckunte.com/ Chetan
Sounds like a very interesting project. The link goes into my feedreader.
Anita
Interesting idea, Patrix, I’ll be reading this regularly I think. My take on education in India is that too much emphasis is given to the qualification it gives you – the degree, the class X and XII certificate or whatever – rather than the education itself. And the qualification is seen as some kind of magic pass for employment.
Warning: Anecdote follows…
When I was on a major recruitment drive once, looking for writers, designers and techies, a man arrived who was desperate for a job. ANY job.
I’m a graduate, but I’m a graduate, he kept saying, while I tried to explain that I was looking for certain skills and a certain mindset, I was not interested in his degree.
Since he was desperate I told him I could find him a clerical job somewhere, but just being a graduate in some unspecified subject was not the point.
But I’m a GRADUATE, he kept saying. He was almost in tears.
How could I tell him I had about 10 people on my staff who had not graduated? And two of them hadn’t even finished class XII? But they had skills I needed and the mindset I wanted and the interest in their work that led them to informally educate themselves?
m
formal education serves the important purpose of disciplining ones thought process. however this very discipline ends up often limiting broad view points. i would be interested in this debate- as i am raising an 11 year old the old fashioned way- while my husband constantly complains that i have it all wrong…….he insists children should pretty much be left alone to develop the way they wish. it seems to be constant war at home on this subject.
http://ipatrix.com Patrix
Chetan – Thanks. I hope to hear from you occassionally on this project.
Anita – I can understand his pain. Although he may have been partially right in saying that if he was a “graduate”, he is flexible and has potential to learn required skills. Education does expand your capability and make you more confident regards additional skill.
M – I hope this project will have a direct benefit for your family’s dilemma. But just let him be the person he wants to be regardless of the system, he will be fine.
m
true- with his prime genetic background i guess so na???????hahaha
desoumal
The One who has the wish or the need to learn, does so automatically.
No-one CAN teach…
Any-one any thing.
The He who has the understanding doesn’t exist…
and even if he does, he wouldn’t educate… but learn himself.
What can you teach me…
what I already don’t see around me.
rashmi
i m a chemistry teacher any body wants tution on line .i can also help in life science
visalakshi
I am a post graduate lady from Madras University taking Mathematics as my main subject. I worked as a teacher for more than 10 years. I want to work as online tutor f0r Mathematics. Can any one help me to become an online tutor.
Visalakhi.

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