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If it isn’t obvious enough, today’s chapter is going to deep dive one of my favourite topic of discussion, Education. Quick disclaimer, throughout my life, I have been through 3 different education systems, therefore my critics of modern-day Academics may not appear well rounded, nor perceptibly agreeable with, this article’s sole purpose is to deliver lucid thoughts freshly from the top of my head.

One of the most interesting realizations centred around this topic hit me when I reevaluated the actual need for preparatory tests, study materials, examination fees galore and so much more than just school. Now you may lecture me over the benefits as to these extra resources and knowledge, that I should be grateful enough to be equipped with opportunities alike. Not that I’m not, but when it’s a lovely Friday morning, and instead of being motivated to live another day of an already hectic life, you’re waking up to sit the first, 3-hour long SAT class of a course curated to supposedly test your readiness for college. 

It wasn’t that bad though, but that’s not the point! Ha! 

I’m just saying, an overthinker like me will only contemplate such requirements from universities. Since when was schooling not enough to test your knowledge? Clearly, Academics is an ever-evolving field; tests, trials and results will always leave room for unnecessary competition, and as humans, we like to add “fuel to the burning fire.” I classify these extras as the complementary goods that come in line with our choices of playing with the actual fire: Education. 

Undoubtedly, there’s been immense progress in our education systems, and varieties give all of us choices to adjust around with, like our social status, aptitude, and depth of knowledge. Though when will we realize that every other human lives their own story. And that one student may not easily consume information faster, nor efficiently than any of their other classmates and, is in fact drowning in their insecurities. Or that the one golden student who may be achieving a lot than the average population, is actually living off under the pressure of incomprehensible circumstances. 

Our perception of many of existing issues is overlapping with the constant demand in the field of education. Over time, our voices grow more democratic and freedom of speech continues to act as a defence mechanism over new discoveries. However, there is a boundary which can be crossed, and when sparks of arguments flood Twitter Trending, the world falls divided. At that point, our curriculums are under the control of the legislatures in the parliament and policies stand in the way of globalization and its goals to breaking records. We either collaborate or be under a system, there’s no way out.

Suddenly, historical feuds between trivial leaders resurface, they eventually turn into grudges, then comes the discrimination, colourism, stereotypes, gender bias and many more social issues. The whole scenario of a knowledge industry steadily drifts into twisted scandals, distorted by, or in some circumstances for the media and daily news. Is this all for a show? The price? The deals? Perhaps a money game? Are students truly becoming the products of a tested, revised prescription to something more manipulative than just a political debate? 

Everything is hard to tell from afar, especially when we are presented with sometimes superficial, fabricated information straight from a lengthy hierarchy that may have experienced mistranslation.

The truth of learning is that it never stops. It is part of the reason why we exist today and will continue to do until humanity thrives. Call it an innocent approach to life, or a philosophical train of thoughts. Except, I believe that the more your brain soaks up new information, that, itself is learning. In fact, the intellect can be more varied than what you are expected to graduate with. For instance, the new feelings that you can’t even find the words to describe with, or even teaching something as emotionless as a machine to demonstrate humane traits. 

It is unbelievably a societal requirement to get those grades, to write those exams and compare your results with everyone else who is cast under the same illusion of success. Slowly, everything becomes suffocating as we’re force-fed with deadlines, papers, extra-curricular, certificates and expectations. Since when have we encouraged scholars of any level to take their entire academic journey as a do or die lifeline? Behaviour, attitude, wit, grit and many more traits of a student, are reflective on their approach to reality, which is after childhood, and it doesn’t stop there. Ever heard of the saying “season’s change, and so will you”? Nothing is ever consistent. Time doesn’t wait, and many things like you and me begin to rotten.

Hopefully, now you have realized that life is too short to just give your ward the greatest grades and just a “stable life.” The most fruitful education comes from one’s questions to life, surrounding and the more we can become lifelong learners and understand that it is a tangled knot that doesn’t part with you, ever! To believe that studies or knowledge will automatically halt after high school, college, job, or whatever the end may be for you, but you should know that once the heart stops beating, and your time has come to an end, until that last breath, never give up on the power of learning. 

Unlike how bigoted our civilization has become, by making Education a race and its own ceremonious award platform, only for the fittest candidates. We might be able to turn this around over time. Along with educators, students, teachers, curriculums, examiners and all of the people involved in this endless roulette, it not only seems like a possibility but an opportunity for all of us to upgrade for the well-being of our future, and the generations after that. 

So, DEAR SOCIETY, kindly let us dictate our ending to our stories,  and let’s agree on the fact that sometimes, less is more.