Looking at the marks the students get these days in 10th and 12th grade examinations across the boards in India, it seems like anything less that 90% is rare. Some readers might find my observation cynical and a bit generalized. But, according to my experience and the according to the news the percentage of passing students is increasing (which actually is a good news) but, I find it difficult to digest that so many students get > 95%.
Statistically speaking according to this report in 2017, 10,76,761 registered for examination, 10,20,762 students appeared and 8,37,229 passed the examination. Now, 63,247 students scored > 90%, and out of those, 10,091 scored >95 %. If you look at the scores of some of the toppers who scored 496 to 498 marks out of 500. Which means they’ve got 100% marks in subjects like English, Hindi, History etc which are basically arts subjects. It just sounds worrisome because it simply shows how education system is making subjective subjects objective and restricting subjective thinking.
Now, I am not holding this observation against the students who scored 100%. But, I am definitely questioning the educational system. Apart from this (hilarious) Indian education system in no examination in the world so many people will score 100% in arts/subjective subjects. Which is the reality of life and this is what I fear the most. If a child is never shown the reality and is always kept in a fantasy that whatever he/she is doing is right, there is an eminent threat of the shock and stress he/she will feel once life stands in front. Government as well parents are not ready to tell the students the truth which in long turn is going to prove disastrous.
Moreover, there are rules in Indian education system about not failing the deserving student till 10th grade. According to me this is absolutely wrong. By doing this we are unjustifiably pampering the kinds, the new generation of this country. Just think as a child for a moment which never failed, who was never told to stop if doing something wrong, who always passes the examination even without studying seriously. What will happen to you if all of a sudden after spending 15-16 years like this, he/she is told that he/she has failed!? Any psychologist will tell you that, this is classic recipe for depression.
Anyone who is aware of USA’s Education system will tell you that a huge percentage of students in USA suffer depression. (Giving this example because many Indians try to copy USA in every aspect) Just like in India schools in USA give > B+ grades across the board to all students and rarely fail any ‘deserving’ student. When such students take admission in to college for high-schools, undergraduate and graduate studies, they find that they are no longer getting such high grades. Which makes the students feel depressed, inferior.
Many activists and NGO’s argue that stress of examination is causing depression and provoking students to commit suicide or at least attempting it. Here I want to mention that this is a statistical fraud. There is no such study that suggests, passing all students including undeserving one’s has reduced students suicides in India. (Please see these reports report1 , report2) I am not suggesting that there is no Examination pressure on students but there can be other better solutions to reduce it rather than telling them lies (in a way).
As it is in modern times students go through much more stressful environment compared to older times. Some of the prominent factors causing anxiety and stress to students are school environment, friend’s circle, addictions, family background and addiction of internet/social media. All these factors can be controlled and also can be eliminated by consultation and conscious efforts. It’s combined responsibility of parents and teachers to keep an eye on the students who need help, show sympathy towards them and listen to their problems.
But, there is one big factor which is out of control of student i.e. Education system. Students don’t get to choose the system and rightly so. Hence, it comes down to us. It’s our responsibility to make Education system competitive, truthful and future oriented rather. Nobody can improve unless he/she is told that he/she has not achieved perfection. The focus should be towards encouraging the student who is lacking in studies, helping him/her tackle the obstacles and making sure that nurturing environment is provided.
Simplest way to raise the bar is by reducing the datum level but, it is the worst way of improving the system. Future is not only about numbers but it’s about creating the environment which encourage us give our best.