The Changing Paradigm of Education and Learning

REFLECTIONS

Perhaps a little of 'Western' influence, which we so easily condemn, had a role to play in terms of ushering this change. Education started from the grassroots again and this time all were included. Sons and daughters of farmers could go and study medicine. An Army officer's daughter could become a businesswoman and start her own brand of clothes. A teacher's son could go and join the Army. Thus, things came full circle. 

The last few decades have ushered many changes into our world. Let us examine how these changes have impacted our traditional model of education, which has existed from time immemorial. A few centuries ago, education or rather 'the privilege to education' was largely determined by birth and lineage. Basically in those days, education was a hereditary prerogative.

The Bhagavad Gita has alluded to the classification of various forms of learning basis social hierarchy- Brahmin, Kshatriya, Vaishya and Shudra. In the beginning, this classification was not rigid and the inclination of the learner would decide the kind of learning that he/she would undertake. Gradually things changed and the main reason for this change was the fact that we all learn from our elders. When you grow up in a home where there are books on every subject and discourse, it can be assumed naturally that you'd pick up a few and read. It's also equally natural for you to learn the trade of your parents, especially if you are inclined towards business.

Now this was the reason (as far as it seems) why these trades, (if they may be called so) slowly but surely became hereditary. However like all other aspects of our life, these hereditary patterns also eventually changed.

Perhaps a little of 'Western' influence, which we so easily condemn, had a role to play in terms of ushering this change. Education started from the grassroots again and this time all were included. Sons and daughters of farmers could go and study medicine. An Army officer's daughter could become a businesswoman and start her own brand of clothes. A teacher's son could go and join the Army. Thus, things came full circle.

As it had begun, so it has metamorphosed! Is that a tragedy? If we look at things from the purview of the educated, we will surely see that this is a cause for celebration. Where, for years, centuries infact, we had been trapped into the role decided by heredity, now we are again free to pursue a life of our choice, doing what we love best. There are still some bastions which hold on to archaic practices but with the pace at which almost everyone can read now (blame it on smart phones); we may soon see a century where we are all truly equal, as mentioned in our Constitution.

At this point we need to ask ourselves a pertinent question- is education and learning the same? For arriving at the answer, we have to ask another question; what is the hallmark of an educated man/woman? Well the answer is simple. If you happen to meet a man/woman on a train, how would you know that they are educated? Surely by diction! Yes, through the way in which they carry themselves and the way in which they speak. A man/woman with a mastery over the language is considered educated everywhere. Basically; speech, maths and language...this trio of attributes marks an educated man/woman from the ordinary.

Today, we are at a stage where all and everything can be learnt from that small device that you hold in your hands- the ubiquitous Smartphone. So, even if you cannot afford high fees for your engineering, you can still educate yourself, thanks to the Internet.

Again there are some amongst us who do not want to change the status quo. These people want an easily available human resource to work for them for a meagre sum. Basically they want their work done at the lowest possible cost. Simply put such people need an army of uneducated labourers to be at their beck and call whenever required. How do we overcome this though? How do we ensure that this changes? The answer could well be; the Internet! Even if education cannot be pursued, learning can be pursued. We all have the onus of educating ourselves. In other words, we all owe ourselves our own learning. This is the only sure-fire way to end inequality.

Dr. Arunav Barua

The writer is an assistant professor in NERIM Group of Institutions and can be reached at arunav_barua@yahoo.com

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