Dear Editor, In India, COVID crisis has exposed the poor and fragile standards of education system across the country. Persistent prolongation in the closure of educational institutions national wide has left the parents with no other option but to either teache their children themselves or to leave them study on their own. I spoke to several parents enquiring about how they have dealt with online education during lockdown restrictions and came to know that it was a really a shock for parents. Most parents are utterly disappointed with the curriculum and teaching methodology because children lack knowledge of even most basic concepts. Rather than developing /generating students learning abilities and intellectual skills, the ongoing education system has ingrained simplified concepts and easy learning just to prepare children for board exams and higher education. It is a matter of grave concern because if children are taught like this, they will not develop analytical skills and instead be trained to work like machines. Parents must realise that mere changing institutions will not resolve the problem as problem lies in system. They need to focus on their child’s development by analysing what they are being taught. The problem of poor education needs to be tackled through concrete, pragmatic and collective steps taken both by parents and the government. While parents need to lend ear to the education needs of their children, the relevant authorities need to addresses the various issues related to education system. Last, but not least, only then can we have a smooth way for a better and brighter future for our children. Mool Raj.
