Of late in an ECNEC meeting, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina expressed grave concern over frequent examinations of children, asking the authorities concerned to lessen the loads on school-goers.
That children are going to schools carrying extremely heavy schoolbags on their back is a very common scenario not only in Bangladesh but also around the world. The pressure on children to achieve high levels of academic success is overriding the joys of education and making kids anxious and depressed. We are ruining our kids’ potential being obsessed with a narrow definition of success — with standardised testing, ranking comparison and competition.
Education is a privilege not a burden. The process of education should not humiliate those for whom is it meant. The focus of education is not to suppress information but to kindle thirst for knowledge. But unfortunately, we are doing what we ought not to do. The consequence is that a large number of children studying at primary level suffer from depression and anxiety.
We must learn to think beyond the narrow
definitions of academic success since education
is not a burden but certainlya privilege
The loopholes in modern education continue to generate an abundance of constructive criticism. In most cases, the criticisms have been expressed in a call for new curriculum materials, better facilities, increased financial support, and more highly trained teachers. But what is further needed is to rectify our education system by altering the focus on catering to education with joy. There is too much focus on academic outcomes. The whole system is geared towards achieving better outcomes rather than inspiring kids to love learning.
It is not up to kids to work out how to cope better with the pressure. It is up to us to find out ways to reduce that pressure. It is time to think beyond the narrow definitions of success. It is our society and our education system which brought competition and comparison, because, for most of us, it is not about education, it is about first rank. In this regard, we must remember that everybody cannot sit on top of the pile, only a few can.
The education system needs to be reformed in such a way that children can learn and master their skills, can bring about their creativity and apply that knowledge for their growth and betterment of society.