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India’s education system stands at a crossroads, its inadequacies glaringly
apparent against the aspirations of a modern, globally connected society.
What was once envisioned as a tool to build character, strengthen the
intellect, and foster collective responsibility has devolved into a machinery that
prioritizes rote memorization, individual accolades, and short-term gains over
genuine learning and societal progress.
Mugging Over Mastery: The Disconnect Between Learning and Living
Swami Vivekananda aptly described education as the process of & man-
making,& emphasizing the need to mold character, sharpen intellect, and
nurture a spirit of inquiry. Yet, the Indian education system seems to have
veered far from this ideal. Students are encouraged to memorize lessons
rather than engage with ideas. Examinations are not a test of understanding
but a regurgitation of pre-packaged content. As a result, the disconnect
between teachers and students grows deeper.
The emphasis on rote learning creates what Swami Ranganathananda called
“a failure to produce good citizenry.” Students graduate with high percentages
and shining degrees, but these accomplishments do not reflect in the quality
of society we live in. The collapse of bridges and flyovers, the pothole-ridden
roads, and rampant corruption are stark reminders of the failure to instill
accountability and civic responsibility.
The Indian Crab Mindset: A Product of the System
The education system’s focus on individual achievement fosters what is often
referred to as the & Indian crab mindset, & where individuals pull each other
down to get ahead. This & I, Me, Myself & mentality is rewarded in schools,
where teamwork and collaboration are rarely encouraged. Even parents,
influenced by the same system, inadvertently perpetuate this mindset at
home, valuing personal success over collective progress.
It is no wonder that India, with its billion-strong population, struggles to
produce a billion citizens. Instead, we churn out individuals disconnected from
national ethos, morals, and values, many of whom lack the sense of viveka
(discrimination) that Lord Krishna emphasized in the Bhagavad Gita: “Your
sense of viveka will save you. You are the master craftsman of your life.”
Scandals and Systemic Failures: A Trust Deficit
Indian education’s credibility is further eroded by recurring scandals, including
leaked question papers and manipulated examination results. Even
prestigious exams like NEET for medical admissions have been marred by
such incidents. It begs the question: if the integrity of our assessments cannot
be upheld, what value do our degrees hold? It is little wonder that Indian
qualifications are often viewed with suspicion in European countries.
Question Bank System
A potential solution lies in adopting a transparent question-bank system.
Imagine a repository of all possible exam questions available to students in
advance. Ten minutes before the examination, the questions could be
randomly selected and announced. Such a system could eliminate leaks and
scandals while encouraging students to focus on understanding concepts
rather than cramming.
The Erosion of National Morals and Values
The failures of the education system ripple across society. Gandhi once said,
“The greatness of a nation can be judged by the way its people behave.” By
this metric, India’s national ethos is in shambles. With ethics and values
reduced to mere platitudes in textbooks, the reality is starkly different: a
society riddled with corruption, dishonesty, and moral decay. This is a clarion call to revive the fundamental purpose of education. As Swami Vivekananda declared, education should be about “building strength of mind and expansion of the intellect” to make individuals capable of facing life’s challenges with dignity and integrity.
A Path Forward: Education for Collective Progress
To transform the Indian education system, we must prioritize teamwork,
ethics, and societal responsibility alongside academic achievement. Schools
should implement collaborative projects and activities that foster a sense of
unity and purpose. Teachers must act as mentors who guide students in
applying knowledge to real-life challenges. Parents, too, have a crucial role to
play by reinforcing values of cooperation and empathy at home.
Furthermore, the curriculum must integrate lessons from history, philosophy,
and texts like the Bhagavad Gita to instill viveka and moral reasoning in
students. After all, as Lord Krishna reminds us, we are the architects of our
destinies.
India stands at the cusp of immense potential, yet its education system
remains a stumbling block. To realize the vision of a progressive and morally
upright society, we must overhaul this system from the ground up. As Swami
Ranganathananda once said, “Good citizenry is the foundation of a great
nation.” Let us strive to create not just scholars but citizens—citizens who
work for the collective good, armed with the values, intellect, and sense of
purpose that true education imparts.
Advocate Mohan Murti, Former Managing Director- Europe of Reliance
Industries Led, based in Germany