Educational Jungle

 INTRODUCTION

I am currently in 9th grade, studying in the Indian educational system, which is infamous for its flaws and perceived inferiority compared to educational systems in other parts of the world. Some unemployed individuals, who lack resourceful and constructive engagements, spread fake news and offer clichéd comments on what students should do after entering high school, particularly in relation to the 10th grade board exams, which are a primary concern for Indian students. These exams are often considered their first nightmare, followed by any kind of entrance exam, and the third being finding a job.

THE SOCIETY

One of the main problems in Indian society is the pressure placed on students to forget having fun and instead focus solely on rigorous and seemingly pointless studying to achieve mere marks in class tests. This pressure stems from parents who seek to boast about their child's performance to other parents who may be more lenient towards their own children. These parents often have an inferiority complex, which leads them to curtail their child's fun and enjoyment during their childhood or early teenage years. In an attempt to "compete with other children" and secure higher marks, parents subject their children to immense pressure, forcing them to prioritize rote memorization over true understanding of the subjects. Consequently, children are compelled to memorize entire answers just to achieve full marks in tests.  

.My Experience

 When I was in 8th grade, I was an average student who prioritized gaining extraordinary information from                 books, videos, and teachers, rather than striving for exceptional marks. However, the people around me  (excluding my family) displayed indifference towards my pursuit of knowledge beyond my age category and  understanding the subject matter. Their sole focus was on making me memorize information solely for the  purpose of obtaining marks. Upon completing 8th grade, I truly experienced the pressure imposed by the  education system. The education I received in 8th grade seemed rudimentary compared to the challenges I  encountered in 9th grade. The transition involved a significant leap in teaching styles, curriculum, and study materials.

When my summer holidays began, my friends, who used to play Minecraft with me all day during the previous summer, started labeling me as stupid for suggesting we watch a movie. Everyone was enrolling in coaching institutions and attending them for 5 to 6 hours each day. Towards the end of my summer break, one friend agreed to watch a movie with me. However, the plan was canceled because my tuition classes were scheduled to start at 3:30 pm on a Saturday, the same time the movie was expected to end. Although I could have attended my classes a bit late, my family did not approve of any compromises when it came to my studies. They had also become caught up in the race for higher marks, believing that studying daily would guarantee my success as a "ranker" in their eyes. However, in reality, a "ranker," "scholar," or "topper" (terms commonly used in India) is merely a machine attending school and coaching institutions for half of their lives, jotting down notes, memorizing them entirely, and regurgitating them during exams to fulfill their family's expectations of achieving a high rank.

CONCLUSION

In conclusion, I do not have any grievances with scholars or individuals who excel academically, but I take issue with society as a whole, particularly the education system in India and around the world. The Indian government has taken significant steps to address this issue, which is commendable and necessary for reforming this age-old system that has persisted for nearly 200 years. However, in my opinion, these efforts are insufficient, and it will require numerous reforms to transform our education system into a healthy and truly competitive environment