Ideal Education — My Views

An ideal world is a subjective concept and so is the ideal education system. Speaking Objectively, yes, in general, I can say that the education system in an ideal world would be one that is available to one and all. Education in an ideal world would not be commercialized where the quality of available resources would define the standard of education rather the acquiring of skills and values would be the priorities for all educators.

My priorities for an ideal education system would be one that is cost-effective, available to all, where students take charge of their own learning and it would not be marks or grades that would decide the toppers. Jobs would not be dependent on degrees but on the skills acquired.

In my opinion in an ideal world, education would not be dependent either on Government funding or on Government defined standards. The education system would be guided by learned educators who would know best what is good for the young generation. These educators would have the freedom to make decisions, they would have enough resources and know-how to empower the students for a bright future.

Very rightly, Professor Stephen says that the growing Economic Competitiveness has harnessed education to economic independence. The mantra today is: "more educated, more rich". My ideal world of education would be far away from this mantra. I would rather want a close partnership between private & public in the field of education where there would be no haves & have-nots. All students, rich or poor would be just students as it was in ancient India under the Gurukul system.

The theory of E D Hirsch about Cultural Literacy is something that I agree with. What is the use of acquiring degrees if our children are unaware of their historical or cultural past? It is imperative for us educators to make our students aware of these basic aspects.