As the world around us takes shape into something new, the philosophies guiding it, start to transform too! It is only natural that the field of learning & education, which forms the root of changes in the world, unfolds a ‘never-seen-before’ picture!
While the way people are learning is undergoing a drastic change, the education system continues to run on an age-old-standardized method of learning, which though meeting the requirement for scoring perfect grades, falls short while trying to explain the functioning of the world, as soon as one steps outside the four walls of the classroom! Whilst our education paradigms are still highly industrialized, the present youth is today striving to go beyond this standardized structure, questioning with each step – why the ‘conformity to norms’? Let’s understand how the new education pathways fit into these changing education dynamics.
Current Education Systems – An apt fit for the future?
In a world that’s struggling to pass on its cultural heritage to the next generation, while simultaneously absorbing globalization, the past education structure is starting to fall apart, brick by brick! In such a scenario, where the past still continues, and the new is yet to take on, a handful lot of kids who don’t understand the reason behind going to school are caught in the crossfire. Today scoring well might not be enough for a highly decorated student, to get into the right college and in turn secure the right job. With grades sky-rocketing, students who work hard for years, are left behind in the rat race by a few points! The current education system turns a blind eye to these students, failing to understand that these students are as worthy as the ones who made it to the top-notch universities, suffering only because the present education structure doesn’t necessarily bridge the gap between schools and the grades scored.
This brings us to the next scenario. What about the kids who want to study art, which they are brilliant in, but can’t do so, because they missed out on scoring a 4 and above grade point in a particular subject- a subject they didn’t even want to study, to begin with?
The current education system continues to function on a culture dating back to the Era of Enlightenment & Industrial Revolution. It continues to belong to a time when public education and education of the masses came to be seen as a necessary means for finding a job and earning a living. All this was necessary to ensure taxes were paid on time by the masses, so the governments could continue to rule and run nations! In the present scenario, though academic knowledge still holds the utmost importance, it is no longer enough for a modern student to gain a job in this new ‘ever-dynamic-advancing’ market.
This old academic systems, have thus led to the division of people into ‘smart’- the academics, and ‘weak’ – the non-academics. It has led to nothing more than absolute chaos where a child is left with hundreds of options to explore but not one defined path to head on!
Let’s Destroy the Myth
A shift from the industrial paradigm of education to the modern set-up is possible only by destroying the myth that creates a divide between academic and non-academic subjects, the abstract and the theoretical! It is important to understand that learning is no longer restricted to the classroom and students learn quicker while interacting with peers, in their natural environmental setting.
It’s high time the world shifts its focus to human-centric education, where each human is identified for his or her capability and is taught to nourish and grow with the same.
Quality education is a universal right and bridging the gap between those who can afford it and those who fail to do so, is another challenge! This is where the importance of PATHWAY programs come in! By allowing students to complete their education from the university of their choice, despite low grades and lack of money, the pathway education system is proving to be a miracle in today’s society. Pathway education provides 1000s of students around the globe, the opportunity to attain their degrees in a ‘not-so-conventional’ way.
Entry into tertiary education, traditionally calls for a standard school leaving educational qualification. This may be a diploma on completing high school for most, but there are others who use GED, to make it to the higher education institutes! Alternative education pathways focus on discovering ways for the students to get into their preferred-choice universities. This is being made possible through non-standard academic or other qualifications.
Many other university programs don’t allow entry into tertiary programs without prior recognized learning experiences -Alternative education pathways allow for experiences in other universities that serve as requirements for admission into the desired ones! This way a student can go from one university to the University of his or her preference directly through lateral entry, without wasting any time! It not only saves time for the completion of the degree but is also highly economical and feasible. What more? Each plan is tailor-made to suit the requirements of each student, individually!
Education is an intelligent instrument fashioned by society for its evolution. Yet, it’s ironic that though the society is evolving, this very instrument that shapes society continues to lag behind! However, the social change is so fast-paced in today’s world that it is directly forcing the stability of this ages-old education paradigm. It is not just technology or the method of mass production, that has changed but radical changes have occurred in human aspirations and ideas too! Education is something the human race cannot do without, thus making it inevitable to use education as a fundamental method of individual integration with the society at large, where each human is valued for the special qualities he or she possesses!
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