Gearing up for Class X and Class XII exams : More than the 3 hour ritual
- The Sangai Express Editorial :: January 10, 2015 -

Equating education or merit with marks.

Not ideal but this has been the trend and for want of a better alternative it is with an eye on marks and more marks that numerous students and parents must be gearing up for the annual ritual called the ‘board exams’.

With the Board of Secondary Education, Manipur and Central Board of Secondary Education announcing the exam dates for the Class X and Class XII examinations, students and parents/guardians must be putting in all their best efforts not only to pass the exam but also to excel.

Instilling a sense of competition amongst the young minds, but yet at the same time care needs to be taken to ensure that the sense of competition does not kill the sense of joy that accompanies the process of learning.

It is here that some serious thoughts ought to be given on what exactly education is all about.

In its truest sense, education should not be understood only through the prism of exams and the marks scored therein but in the overall development of the young minds.

This is where the world or the environment becomes a class room, far removed from the conventional understanding that education is something confined within the class room or an educational institution such as a school or a college.

This then should make everyone a teacher, teaching by setting an example for the youngsters to follow and emulate.

Underlining the point that education need not always be seen through the academic performance of the young men and women.

Academic proficiency is no doubt important but there is always something called personality development and this does not and cannot come from academic pursuit alone.

An important point which should be ingrained into the thinking process of the young people who will one day become adults of society.

It is here that it becomes important for the policy framers to realise that they do need to come out with policies that can best tap the potentials of every youngster beyond one’s performance inside the examination hall.

Perhaps it is in line with this that the Central Board of Secondary Education has come out with a list of subject choices for the students to choose from.

A look at the subjects being offered in Class XII should suffice.

On top of the traditional subjects such as history, the sciences and languages, the choice can range from confectionary to vegetable culture, baking, cosmetic chemistry, the dances, garment construction etc etc.

There is also the question of how well equipped are the schools in Manipur to take advantage of the vast array of choices offered to the young students.

It also goes without saying that majority of the adults of society still have to come to terms with the new choices offered and accordingly encourage their children to take up.

No wonder Manipur continues to produce thousands of certificate holders but negligible number of students who are well equipped to take on the job market.

The exams are near and while all students must be encouraged to study and give their best, it is also important for the parents and guardians to realise that performance in the examination alone is not the barometer to judge the brilliance of a student.

Would it be practical to expect a Pele or a Maradona to become an Einstein ?