Prakshesh Chalise

A few weeks ago, I took part in the International Physics Olympiad, a physics competition where every nation sends five high school students who excel in the subject. During the event, we interacted with students from all over the world. There were noticeable cultural, traditional, and lifestyle differences among us. But what kept me in awe when I figured out how my friends from other countries were educated until their high school.

Students from countries like South Korea, Singapore, Israel and the United States had prior experience taking part in similar other prestigious competitions from the tender age of 13. Their sound knowledge of instruments in physics, which portrays the emphasis of practical knowledge in their schooling system, deeply impressed me.

Tragically, when I realise our teaching-learning process, my heart fills with nothing but sadness. As a student, parent, and society, we have gravitated so much on grades and rank that our mind has had the concept only to achieve good marks to meet society's expectations from an early age. While good scores are undeniably vital to a student's academic career, reflecting their progress is vital to what lies beyond that; the training of the mind to think, analyse, and imagine, which the principal purpose of education are.

Our schools often assign students 'project work' when we embark on an extended vacation. Utilising the holidays to involve in the project is a good idea, but as I vividly remember, those projects would ask students to copy a particular portion of a chapter from the book as a revision. What I disliked the most here was, much emphasis would be given on handwriting, neatness, and packaging of the work, and if it was decorated and attractive, you are bound to return home with A+ in mark sheet, regardless of the content and ideas, your work unfolds.

It will be of least importance what score a student has achieved in moral science when he offers his seat to a senior citizen standing on the bus. The values and skills ingrained in a student's mind continue to be his companion for the rest of his life, and this value is added when we can make students realise that the sole aim of their knowledge is not only limited to a three-hour exam, but every other day is the test of their lessons.

The rationality and deepened conscience of a student who has focused more on the underlying concepts and ideas is evident that the one who enjoys learning without burden and memorisation is far ahead from one who has adopted 'rote learning' to meet the high bars set by our society. This same form of education -- rote learning -- had been emphasised in the Rana regime and monarchy so that Nepalis learnt to be submissive to their rules, but not independent thinkers.

Under its 'National Education Policy 2020', neighbouring, India scrapped the traditional way of education imposed during the British imperialism. Instead, it has adopted a more democratic and application-based model. Now, it is time for us to acknowledge the shortcomings of our outdated education policy because this very difference in the education system around the globe has divided the world we know today into first, second, and third world nations.