We were once again discussing the perennial grouch of pupils against examinations - that they test crude memorising power to the detriment of far more valuable attributes like creative imagination, character qualities and so on. I asked how many people would have ever passed through school if they were tested for whether they were Einsteins and Tagores, and how they measured up against ideal characters such as Lincoln, St. Francis and Sri Ramkrishna. Predictably enough, there was a deafening silence which said everything...
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Ahh...as I keep telling myself after taking exams for 3 decades of my life (and complaining aplenty for a couple of years in the middle): for the genius - neither exams nor formal schooling matters. As far as the vast mediocrity is concerned - run-of-the-mill exams test them on their limited matter. So it's best for such folks to take exams quietly, and not complain that creativity, genius, imagination and extra-normal powers are not being tested. There's life that tests us on those aspects.
What did you say following the silence, I wonder....
Take care. Shilpi
I said 'Thank your lucky stars'. And there came a lot of sheepish grins from all around...
Dear sir,
i am left wondering how little the situation has changed since we used to come for your classes three years ago.I also complained against exams the same way as the students now are doing. We all wished the honeymoon period of school life had never ended. But the question we all need to ask to ourselves - are exams so bad after all?
The study pressure and the school syllabus has been reduced to almost nothing at present.If a student studies systematically, then the board exams is just a cakewalk.Sir, i am sure- in your time,the syllabus was far more elaborate and detailed.Yet,i am sure you found a vast amount of time for your hobbies.Even in my college,the situation is such that if i just read my college notes,i am happily assured at least 70% in my exams.I do not need to go the library so frequently.
The qualities of creative imagination and strength of character;we students say we would like to be judged on is very easy to talk about but on a second thought,majority of us know we better not go down that path.It's just so difficult.We all know majority of us will fail miserably if we are tested on those lines.I am sorry to say but some teachers also fall in this category.
The education system is such that we are habituated to rote learning from such young age that the power to think dies by the time students give their board exams.It is just so apalling to see the attendance in libraries is falling day by day.Facebook and Twitter have taken over majority of the students' pasttime.So how does creative imagination ever occur?
Sir,you talked of Einstein and Tagore -but i feel it's better we students first atleast read their books before we even think of measuring ourselves against such great men.
The quality of question paper in our schools and colleges are made in such a way that the mediocre students can easily get through.SO,what centres of excellence are we talking about!
So,for the moment at least;inspite of all that grouching- we all know in our heart,we are better off taking our exams the traditional way.
Regards,
Avishek Mondal
Dear sir,
i am left wondering how little the situation has changed since we used to come for your classes three years ago.I also complained against exams the same way as the students now are doing. We all wished the honeymoon period of school life had never ended. But the question we all need to ask to ourselves - are exams so bad after all?
The study pressure and the school syllabus has been reduced to almost nothing at present.If a student studies systematically, then the board exams is just a cakewalk.Sir, i am sure- in your time,the syllabus was far more elaborate and detailed.Yet,i am sure you found a vast amount of time for your hobbies.Even in my college,the situation is such that if i just read my college notes,i am happily assured at least 70% in my exams.I do not need to go the library so frequently.
The qualities of creative imagination and strength of character;we students say we would like to be judged on is very easy to talk about but on a second thought,majority of us know we better not go down that path.It's just so difficult.We all know majority of us will fail miserably if we are tested on those lines.I am sorry to say but some teachers also fall in this category.
The education system is such that we are habituated to rote learning from such young age that the power to think dies by the time students give their board exams.It is just so apalling to see the attendance in libraries is falling day by day.Facebook and Twitter have taken over majority of the students' pasttime.So how does creative imagination ever occur?
Sir,you talked of Einstein and Tagore -but i feel it's better we students first atleast read their books before we even think of measuring ourselves against such great men.
The quality of question paper in our schools and colleges are made in such a way that the mediocre students can easily get through.SO,what centres of excellence are we talking about!
So,for the moment at least;inspite of all that grouching- we all know in our heart,we are better off taking our exams the traditional way.
Regards,
Avishek Mondal
Thank you, Avishek.
There's is no reason to be sorry to say that a lot of teachers are that way these days - it's one of our most shameful open secrets! That is why I keep telling my pupils and my own daughter to take their examinations seriously, but not to bother too much about their scores: 'Look at the kind of people who are marking you, and the prevailing standards!'
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