By Karanveer Singh Rai
A few months ago, a scenario was presented to Grade 9 students: Your boyfriend or girlfriend has committed a felony, during which other people were badly injured. Should you or should you not turn him or her into the police?
The class immediately erupted with commentary. It was obvious, they said, that loyalty was paramount—not a single student said they’d “snitch.” They were unequivocally unconcerned about who was harmed in this hypothetical scenario.
Would you trust these children? Would you trust them to help you, if you had just gotten in an accident on the road? Trust them to be the doctors who treat you for the wounds suffered from the accident? NO! of course not, who in their right mind would trust someone with such a low moral standing?
Here’s another scenario: A student, extraordinary in all fields, a proper all-rounder, devotes day and night to get into a good institution, where yet again, he performs exceptionally well, eventually becoming an IAS officer.
Now, in this position of power, he is unable to bring any development, progress or change in the country. For this, he is heavily scrutinised, and his actions, however limited, condemned. But is he the one to bear the blame? Or should it be the education system, that forced him to devote his blood, sweat and tears for years and years and years, which cut him off from the very people whom he would be serving? The education system, which boasts of holistic development and an all-encompassing curriculum, yet failed to bring any sort of change where it mattered most.
It seems that in the past few years, our education system is constantly facing backlash, be it the high cut-offs, neck to neck competitions o the how the rat race of competitive exams will be the downfall of our society.
But the problem I present before you is paramount. It can be simplified to a simple question: What is the use of an ‘A’ in mathematics if you fail at being a human being? This simple question encompasses all that is wrong with our education system.
A student may debate about the harmful effects of micro plastics and the need for recycling, and then half an hour later, they are seen throwing away a plastic water bottle on the side of the road.
A child may spend 3 days in an MUN stating how xenophobia is a major issue when it comes to refugee incorporation in society, and then make fun of Nepalese immigrants who live near their house.
But, these children are considered a success according to the education system. We've created a generation that values grades over integrity, loyalty to friends over justice, and personal success over societal well-being.
In addition to this, we cannot overlook the catcalls and slurs that are rampant in our schools, colleges and universities. Yes, even in our age of “inclusivity” and ‘equality” and all the other fancy names we like to call it, your daughters and sisters are still not safe from catcalls. But the threat isn’t a stranger on the street, but their very own classmates. And the saddest fact? This information is well known by the teachers, principals and all the other education staff yet, nothing is being done. Does it not boil your blood, when you think about how your daughters, your sisters are being treated? Do you not wish to seek action against the ones that are allowing this to happen?
If the answer to those questions is yes, then why are we still silent?
Children are being taught to put a façade over their true thoughts, their morals, their true identities. Imagine a garden where we meticulously water and fertilize only one type of plant, ignoring all othrs. Over time, this single plant grows tall and strong, while the rest of the garden withers. This, I argue, is the state of our education system today.
The consequences of such malefactions are extremely far-reaching.
Firstly, we're seeing a rise in unethical practices in professional fields. The Indian Journal of Corporate Governance reported in 2020 that 69% of Indian professionals believe unethical behaviour is common in their industries. We can only imagine the increase that this statistic will undergo, what with our education system actively promoting such behaviour.
Secondly, referring to the earlier IAS analogy, our education system often reveals a goal of preparing students for a mix of lifelong success, citizenship, college, and careers. But who actually reaps these benefits? The IAS officers who can’t bring any real change, or the majority of children, who can’t juggle academics, sports, personal life and extra curriculars?
Lastly, by not raising our voice against clear injustice we're contributing to such societal conditions that our previous generations worked too hard to prevent. Boys are bullied for displaying “feminine” traits and girls, for being “tomboys”. In our so called age of acceptance, are these the children we’re raising? Is this the mark we wish to leave upon the world? Ofcourse not! Then why are we still asleep? It is time to open our eyes and correct the wrongs that we allowed to run rampant and poison the minds of our youths.
But, there’s no use crying over the milk we spilled. Instead, we should ask ourselves, what next? How do we dig ourselves out of this hole we’ve dug? The answer lies in three simple steps:
Firstly, we need to integrate ethical education into our curriculum. Not as a separate subject, meant to be memorized and forgotten, but as a fundamental part of every lesson. When teaching science, discuss the ethical implications of scientific advancements. In economics classes, explore the moral aspects of wealth distribution.
Secondly, let's redefine success. Academic excellence is important, but it should never come at the cost of ethical behaviour. A 2019 study by the Indian Journal of Psychological Medicine found that 81% of Indian students admitted to cheating in exams. Why? Because they've been taught that the end result - high scores - matters more than the means to achieve it. This should never be the norm in an educational environment. Schools should recognize and reward acts of kindness, integrity, and social responsibility just as much as they celebrate high scores. This may also provide a way for below average students to feel a sense of accomplishment, serving as an incentive to do more good.
Lastly, lets use the boon of our rich cultural heritage. India's rich philosophical traditions offer a wealth of ethical teachings. Let's incorporate these into our curriculum, helping students connect with their cultural heritage while developing a strong ethical foundation.
It is guaranteed that involving our traditions and culture will have an impact more profound than any words in implanting ethics in the minds of our youth.
Let's return to our garden analogy. A truly thriving garden needs diversity - different plants that support and complement each other. Similarly, a thriving society needs individuals who are not just academically brilliant, but also ethically grounded and socially responsible. Will we continue to cultivate a lopsided garden, or will we nurture a rich, diverse ecosystem of learning that prepares our children not just for exams, but for life? The future of our nation depends on this choice. And this choice is in our hands and our hands alone.
By Karanveer Singh Rai
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