All of us would agree that education is imperative for achieving full human potential, developing an equitable society, and promoting national development. However, we find several shortcomings when we examine the education system and its methodology. While the traditional Gurukul education system in India strongly emphasizes the holistic growth of the learner, the subsequent education system has overly prioritized information and rote learning. Students are primarily exposed to theoretical knowledge, and the teacher’s role has been reduced to that of a disseminator of information, which students memorize and reproduce in exams. There hasn’t been enough focus on experiential learning and the holistic development of students.
Unsurprisingly, students often perceive education as a chore, and educational institutions have become factories for cramming information. This objective isn’t being met even if the goal is to create job-ready graduates. Numerous studies highlight employability gaps, and it’s evident that the education system fails to prepare first-time jobseekers for industry requirements. Another contributing factor to this skills gap is the absence of hands-on learning through apprenticeships or internships.
Clearly, the education system needs to evolve with the rapidly changing world order. If the sole focus of education remains on content, it will quickly become obsolete. In the modern education system context, the emphasis is rightly shifting towards how to learn rather than what to learn. It also places greater importance on instilling critical life skills in students. This includes facilitating critical thinking, decision-making, and problem-solving processes. Furthermore, it emphasizes innovation and adaptability in this volatile, uncertain, complex, and ambiguous (VUCA) world, as highlighted by the recent pandemic.
Adapting to this evolving world requires a specific set of skills. Consequently, the latest education system has begun to adopt a more experiential and discovery-oriented pedagogy. It can be confidently stated that the contemporary education system aims to create well-rounded individuals. These learners are rational and critical thinkers and empathetic, compassionate, and caring individuals.
At Pragyanam, one of the top schools in Gurgaon, we focus on developing essential life skills in our students. Our Life Skills Focused Curriculum is based on the 10 Life Skills prescribed by WHO, which are the skills children will need to thrive.
Table of Contents
Characteristics of Modern Education System
One of the factors driving the modern education system in India is the National Education Policy, which aims to establish a system aligned with the goals of the 21st century. It seeks to implement reforms that promote the highest quality, equity, and integrity within the system. Now, let’s explore some of the essential characteristics of the New education system and its benefits.
1. Learner Focus
“If a child can’t learn the way we teach, perhaps we should teach the way they learn,” as the famous quote goes. This concept is a crucial focus of modern education, where the emphasis is shifting towards the learner, with the teacher providing much-needed scaffolding.
This system places great importance on experiential or activity-based learning, which creates relevance, stimulates creative problem-solving, and more. Undeniably, learning by doing offers several advantages that theoretical learning cannot match. Learning by doing typically involves four stages:
- The experience of “doing” allows the student to make meaningful observations.
- Reflection on these observations helps construct theories.
- This, in turn, leads to the assimilation of concepts.
- These concepts are then applied in new situations.
Understanding and retaining concepts are significantly higher when learning by doing than theoretical learning.
2. Multidisciplinary Approach
Students mustn’t be taught subjects in isolation. A multidisciplinary or integrative approach equips students with a comprehensive understanding of issues by integrating information and skills from various fields. This enables students to recognize the interconnectedness of knowledge and makes learning more relevant and engaging.
3. Emphasis on Individualism
Modern education increasingly recognizes that children are unique individuals and should not be treated as homogeneous. As a result, the education system is shifting its focus toward providing students with diverse avenues to explore their capabilities and preferences. This stands in contrast to the cookie-cutter approach to education, where students are expected to excel in areas that may not align with their strengths, akin to teaching fish to climb trees and then chastising them for failing.
4. Life Skills
A significant change in this education is its emphasis on preparing learners for the future. Life skills, including critical thinking, decision-making, problem-solving, emotional coping, and more, are now receiving the attention they deserve in the holistic development of students. These skills are essential for success in the 21st century and creating a meaningful life.
5. Pedagogy
What is also changing is pedagogy. Gone are the days when teaching meant one-way communication by teachers. Technology, gamification, VAK teaching, flipped classrooms, and various other methods have redirected the spotlight onto learners. Lesson plans also prioritize catering to diverse learning styles, encompassing visual, auditory, kinesthetic, and various others.
If we were to summarize the difference between traditional and Latest education, the following distinctions would emerge:
Difference between Traditional and Modern Education
- While traditional education centers on the teacher, modern education is learner-focused.
- Instead of concentrating on subjects in isolation, modern education prioritizes skills and adopts an integrated approach to learning.
- Modern education places a strong emphasis on experiential learning rather than theoretical learning.
If we were to examine some of the advantages of the modern education system, they would include the following:
Preparing students with practical skills
A significant advantage of the modern system is that it equips students to face life’s challenges without being overwhelmed. Armed with these life skills, which encompass abilities, attitudes, and socioemotional competencies, individuals can lead healthy and productive lives and become agents of change.
Holistic Development
This new system caters to the holistic development of students, encompassing their cognitive, emotional, and social growth. What the education system facilitates, therefore, is the all-round development of students, leading to the cultivation of individuals who are happy and content with themselves and capable of driving positive change.
Flexible Learning Pathways
The system is equipped with flexible learning pathways that provide students with the freedom to pursue their interests and career aspirations. This departure from rigid structures fosters growth in students, enabling them to reach their full potential. The New Education Policy aims to alleviate the curriculum burden on students, allowing for a deeper understanding of subjects.
To Sum Up
“Education is the kindling of a flame, not the filling of a vessel” –Socrates.
Education, unfortunately, has largely become about filling vessels with information. However, the modern education system is well-positioned to ignite the flame of learning in students. Through its pedagogy, it is also likely to play a significant role in ensuring that students develop a genuine passion for the learning process. This attitude will not only enhance their employability skills but, more importantly, will prepare them to confront life’s challenges head-on.
Here’s to nurturing a generation of lifelong learners!
