Examining Exams

Acquiring Knowledge through Education is an indispensable part of a student’s life.  But how do we assess our level of learning? Exams Of course! But, what if the examination system itself is flawed? In today’s dynamic world where methodologies of learning are changing constantly, the examination system needs a complete overhaul.

The stagnant Indian exam system assesses a theoretical  and redundant  syllabus which does  not serve any useful purpose in ‘real life’.  The obsolete theories need to be replaced by relevant content preparing the students for future adaptability in tandem with global education. The exams should be predominantly practical assessment with minimum theoretical questions, because, after all, it’s how well we’re able to apply what we’re learning that matters.  

The real world is not compartmentalized into subjects. Hence education system should have subjects which are interlinked. So should the exams be.

What good are exams if they do not help in identifying a student’s true potential? Indian Examination System tests how much a student can cram into their heads and how much they retain. Then, what exactly is the difference between a memory test and an exam? A lot of brilliant students do not fare well in exams, because they are brilliant in application of what they have learnt. On the contrary, a lot of students who do very well in exams actually will not be able to put whatever they’ve written into practice. They’ve just mugged it up word by word for the exam.

 How many students actually understand what they’re reading? How many of them will be able to put this so-called knowledge into practice? How many students hailed as ‘toppers’ actually know the subject in depth? These are questions that need to be answered and with these answers will the inherent flaws in the Indian education system be exposed.

Our Examining System produces a huge volume of  unemployable graduates whose memory power has been tested but who have not been taught to question.  The Indian Education System stifles curiosity. Without curiosity, nothing that is there today would have been. 

A true seeker of knowledge asks ‘Why ‘  and ‘Why not’?    

Our academicians and educationists need to model exams that will identify the student’s true potential instead of creating memory machines out of students.   

What Is India Coming To?

WE, THE PEOPLE OF INDIA, having solemnly resolved to constitute India into a SOVEREIGN SOCIALIST SECULAR DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC
Well, that’s the very first sentence of the Preamble to The Indian Constitution. 

Also, Article 15 prohibits the State from discriminating on the basis of religion. Article 25-28 are the ‘Right To Freedom of Religion’. Article 325 states that no person can be ineligible for inclusion in an Electoral Roll on the basis of religion. 

Now, 
“The Citizenship Amendment Bill (CAB) became law after receiving the President’s assent on Thursday(12th December, 2019), following a bruising debate in Parliament. Assam has been in the throes of violence since Wednesday(11th December, 2019), when Rajya Sabha took up the Bill after it was passed in Lok Sabha, with its capital under indefinite curfew, and Army and paramilitary columns rolling across multiple towns.” 

The CAB contradicts the NRC, which states 24th March, 1971 as the cut-off for immigrants. Under the CAB, the cut-off date is 31st December, 2014. It means, all illegal non-Muslim immigrants will become citizens of India whether or not they can show proofs that were required for NRC.
Pointed To Be Noted: The Protests in Assam have a different angle altogether. The Assamese have always been skeptical towards the Bangladeshis (The Assam Movement). It has more to do with illegal immigration becoming legal. 

The rest of India is in uproar because of the discriminatory law that it is. Why, it goes against the very foundation of our Constitution!!!
16th Dec: Police opened fire on a group of protestors in Jamia Milia Islamia University in Delhi and Aligarh Muslim University in Uttar Pradesh. 

“Cops in both Delhi and Aligarh have been accused of using excessive force during protests that turned violent. The clashes left a total of nearly 50 students injured and the 100 Jamia students - who had been detained after cops barged into the campus without permission - were only released after a massive show of strength by students outside Delhi Police Headquarters throughout Sunday (15th December) night.” 

Peaceful protests are being banned. Curfew was imposed in Assam. It has been relaxed during daytime now. Kashmir is still cut-off from the rest of India. Unity In Diversity no longer holds true. India was supposed to be a secular democratic country which treats all religions equally. Forget secularism, where is the democracy? How is turning violent on a group of peaceful protestors justified? The Indian Government is turning dictatorial. 

India’s foundation itself is crumbling.The economy is in shambles.Prices of essential commodities are sky-rocketing. On top of that, Bills and Laws like these are being passed. Obviously, there will be a controversy… the Bill is violating the very principles that define India’s! Everything is turning political. Humanitarian cases are being linked with politics. What is India coming to? 

Apart from the CAB, the Priyanka Reddy case too. So brutal, so animal-like. (Animal-like is a wrong phrase that I used. Animals would never ever behave in the barbaric manner in which the four men did) Why? It is because an educated, independent woman is an alien ‘object’ to some men. They objectify women. They do not consider her normal, they consider her to be a threat to the patriarchal society and hence decide she’s not fit to live. The case against the men would have gone on and on in Court. Such is the sad state of affairs with the Indian Judicial System, that yes, I am not ashamed to say that I’m glad that the rapists were killed. It should serve as an eye opener. But again, would any amount of justice bring back Dr. Reddy? No. Honestly, how horrible would people have to be to do something so heinous? It makes me sick to think of it.  

Drastic steps were the need of the hour and I’m glad they were taken.