Just like the rules of money changed in 1971 from gold backed currency to debt based system, the rules of education too has drastically changed in the information age today. A very large percentage of world population though still considers the industrial rules of education important and applicable and play the games of security, freedom based on academic qualification. They don't realize the truth that the rules of education have changed and the new rules have been incorporated to suit those who understand and follow the changing trends.
During the industrial age, the educational institutes were considered the centres of learning and a gateway to secured jobs, comfort and financial freedom. But the same education institutes have undergone a drastic change in their operations. The education institutes are no longer today the institutes of learning, they are the institutes of Earning profits. The 'L' is missing in learning, there is only Earning. There is no real learning or education.
Many parents look upon education institutes as gateways to find jobs. The parents who think going to schools and colleges only to find jobs have not updated their knowledge and information. These parents were either born during the industrial age or were the products of industrial age and their thinking and attitudes haven't changed over the years.
No doubt the academic schools and colleges provide foundation to the students but the staff, management and the government systems do penalize the students with tilted growth and opportunity. There is no designs for developing multi intelligence.
The cost of schools and college studies have sky-rocketed today that it seems only those with money can afford such high academic education. The tertiary industry or education has not been hit by the recent recession. The parents have been battered down with the recession but education institutes have kept their fees intact.
I see many students attend tuition classes apart from going to schools every day. One question that arises in my mind is why do they need to go for extra tuition classes when they already attend the schools? What is wrong with school system? Are the teachers not equipped enough to explain concepts during the class that the students seek private tuition? If schools are not sufficient then the students shouldn't go to schools for studies rather they should go to private academies to prepare for the exams.
A dental student recently narrated to me her plight how she was penalized by a university professor by giving her failing grades in the oral examination because she had sprayed a strong perfume. The lady professor didn't ask her any questions related to the subject instead she asked why the student had sprayed perfume and she failed her in the exam. To clear that exam, the student had to pay extra $1100 US dollars other than her 5 year course fees of $32,000 US dollars.
There is no doubt the quality of education has been deteriorated over the years. The schools and colleges don't teach the young students to think and solve the problems. They expect only the right answers for the questions that have answers.
To conclude, beware of the academic institutes which suppose to be the centres of learning are no longer the centres of learning today. The academic institutes have become the centres of Earning profits. Learning is missing at the expense of Earning. Let your children learn first and then use their learned skills to earn a living or a fortune. The choice can be theirs.
Alwed Ekka
Guide Coach Mentor
