EDUCATION VS LIFE

During the presentation session of a recently concluded campus to corporate training for fresh graduates, many kids chose education as their topic.

What was surprising was that these young graduates, felt they were not equipped to handle life after college. They unanimously agreed on the lack of 'Life Skills' that were taught in school or college.

Coming from the youth, this was quite shocking for me.

But, then we hear of sad things like suicides, mental depression and anxiety issues. And these are prevalent in our youth today. Shocker!

Co-relation? Maybe.

In other countries, the education syllabus is changed every few years to keep up with changing trends and advancements. This helps in dealing with psychological issues that may arise, due to students not having options. In some countries, children are taught values and principles and how to behave in society, from as young as seven years of age.

In India, the syllabus and methodology of education is of days that no more exist. Our children are made too reliant on perfection in scores and marks rather than face reality. On the personal front we protect them voraciously. Mugging up concepts and theories to fill space on an answer sheet are criteria for clearing a subject. The practical use of that subject is never discussed.

“As a country, India follows a collectivistic culture. Here problems and decisions are shared or taken by family. The society plays a huge role in knowing everyone's business. So, taboos like mental sickness or academic failure or loss in professional careers are the bane of judgment for them. Facing society as a 'failure' or not living up to expectations, forces people, especially our young ones, to take drastic steps.”

Since they have not been used to solving their own problems since childhood, these now seem insurmountable. They are not taught to analyze or think for themselves.

Maybe at a parent or guardian level, we should make it possible for kids to understand life's realities.

Let us start allowing them to face their own battles at school and college. We can advise, but allow them to take ownership. We can support but they must decide. Stop doing everything for them.

Let us stop giving them false hopes of gain only relating to success. Let us teach them that failure is healthy and how you get back up is success. Let us teach them to measure happiness by keeping themselves happy, not relying on others for fulfilment. Let us remove the words stress, loneliness and depression from their vocabulary and give them words like exercise, healthy social habits and active lifestyles. Let us teach them how to cope with high demanding career choices by leading balanced lives.

Let us stop crippling our youth. Let us also, as parents, friends, colleagues try and read the signs in people. Most times, there is always a cry for help from someone who is contemplating the drastic step. They try to reach out in the only way they know... subtly.

They do not like drawing attention to themselves, so if you happen to hear excuses of being tired, sleepy, avoiding social events, sudden thoughts of the heavens or even conversations with departed loved ones, don't ignore them. Reach out to them, show them you care, you are there.

That's all they need.

It's never too late!

These are my personal thoughts and are not meant to target anyone. Losing a young life, or any age for that matter, is never going to make a progressive society. Let us help our youth face life in strength and courage.

--------- BiH@G Trivedi ( All © Reserved )