Education or Business or simply a joke?

Often I wonder why our universities don't rank among the top universities of the world and often I have realized that our educational system does not fund enough research work perhaps because we are a generation of muggers! We believe in quick wins, we believe in use and throw! No wonder why we have never perfected any art! We are jack of all trades and master of none.

And it starts early, from school and its deteriorating day by day. I don't know what I am going to write here applies to everywhere in India or not, I am simply citing an example of Delhi, yes Delhi, the country's capital! Here is a class VII student and his holiday homework is like a paperwork on pollution, what causes it and who are the victims. Okay, as far as understanding the causes of pollution I can say that this will add to his knowledge but when he is asked to interview people who suffer due to these causes I am left speechless! First this is not something a holiday homework is made of, second why would someone discuss his or her ailments with a young boy? I am not sure what this homework is aimed at! And what value is received by writing on a colored paper in multi colored ink! And when I ask the same student if he knew how many states India has, there was no answer! I just don't understand today's educational system! What fun in fancy note pads and all colorful outside and a hollow inside!

And above all, its not that the child is doing all by himself! This is a burden to the parents except for the fact that the parents are also learning but the intent of these holiday home works is not clear by any means! Also these days the holiday homework etc are uploaded on internet, shared on whatsapp etc...but why? Is this utilizing technology or simply creating unnecessary burden for the student and his/her family. Okay its good to be techn savvy but to what extent?

I really want to know what the school does with these papers, do these go to the waste basket? We talk of saving our environment, is this the way? Or more importantly does the teacher have the time to check each of these assignments and provide feedback to the students, other than awarding some marks? And is the child really learning something or is in a hurry to get the homework finished before the school re-opens.

I think it's time to review the educational system, I also think parents collectively should question the logic behind mindless holiday homework. I read only today that India is the second most obese nation in the world. Instead of driving the children and their parents  to compulsory internet connections why not drive them to the playground, to a session of yoga or simply a daily morning walk. I reiterate the right to question  the schools, the syllabus and the educational system.