Lapses in Our Educational System | Learning Solutions and a Practical Guide for Parents

Our Schooling System: is designed to put youngsters in a digits race with their classmates. The focus should be on enhancing our former selves — it’s me vs. me. If we try to compare everyone based on the same set of skills, the results will be unproductive.

Humans are born with different qualities from one another; the system should be organized in a way that makes it easier for individuals to pursue their own interests. This is healthy for both individuals and the community. Society should play its role in helping the coming generations harness good characteristics and eliminate destructive ones.

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But our system continues to rely on outdated methods and does not seem ready to replace them with advanced approaches. The academic system is concentrated on testing memory while undermining other important factors.

Common Problems: At the very start of education, not all children possess a great memory, and many take time to understand things. But there are no exceptions — everyone is expected to perform well. This leads to problems for some kids, leaving lasting impressions on their lives. Kids with sharp intellectual capabilities tend to focus on other activities instead of developing their strengths. They feel proud and begin to brag about their accomplishments.

Instead of learning the social art of helping others, they point out the mistakes of struggling peers. Those who don’t perform well receive little support. They feel left out. Classmates make fun of them, while teachers and parents scold them regularly.

As a result, they are inclined to fight their way out instead of working on self-improvement. Everyone around them reinforces the belief that they are incapable, so their mindset shifts to things of lesser value. They develop a habit of listening without engaging because they are frequently exposed to humiliating words. Unable to fight back, they begin to ignore.

Looking for Better Ways — Solutions

The Ability to Focus and Think:

The ability to think differently and ask questions helps us delve deeper and stand out. This should be a priority in early education, children must learn to think before acting.

They should be involved in constructive arguments where they feel safe to express their perspectives and ask questions freely. A daily dose of world wisdom — outside the academic curriculum — delivered in an engaging and entertaining way, would be a great start.

If the scholastic system works the same for everyone, we must recognize this and adjust it accordingly.

Learning Through Exercises:

Exercises are a powerful way to learn, identify mistakes, and grow. They encourage deeper thinking by challenging us to reflect, question, and explore ideas actively. A variety of practical activities can be used, each designed to target specific skills and areas of improvement.

Here is an exercise where children can focus and reflect to express their thoughts without fear of judgment. This will be the first step in helping them form the habit of thinking. Let’s begin:

Questions:

Share your views about your educational institution. (This exercise can be used for different age groups.)

• What is it that you like the most and why?
• What is it that you don’t like and why?
• What solutions do you offer for the things you don’t like?
• What would you like to add more and why? Explain how this addition could be helpful for everyone.
• What would you like to remove permanently and why? Explain how this is damaging to you and others.

Note: Write down your answers and make a video. (Minimum one minute and maximum three minutes.)

Things to Consider While Proceeding with This Exercise:

• Make sure children are not under the impression that they’re being judged.
• Let them make writing mistakes — do not correct or point them out.
• Do not force them to answer everything at once. (Maximum 72 hours; total time spent writing answers should be more than one hour.)
• If they’re quick to respond, ask them to write more than one answer for each question.
• If they’re unable to proceed, initiate a debate. To make it enjoyable, you can write for them while they speak.
• Motivate them to record the video summary — especially helpful for timid kids.

Pomodoro Technique

We often remember the beginning and the end of a typical meeting; the same goes for a learning session. This strategy is designed to maximize learning. It’s useful for everyone. Here it is:

25 minutes of focused study — followed by a 5-minute break

After four sets (totaling 120 minutes), take a long break of 15 to 30 minutes.

(During breaks, you can help them revise through fun and engaging conversation.)