We all were born intelligent but....

Apart from the cynical insinuations and much widely accepted belief that it being a mere manifestation of an educational renegade; the motto “I was born intelligent but education ruined me” speaks more of a common grudge that nearly every one of us holds, although secretly, against the prevailing education system. A couple of years back, engineering used to be a priceless achievement, meant only for those who deserved. But today, India can boast producing more graduates than the economy can accommodate. Sadly, in addition to this, out of this ‘qualified’ multitude not everyone justifies the meaning of the adjective.
Recently in a conference, Kapil Sibal made a statement that the education system will take 5 to 10 years to change. I am neither supporting, nor contradicting his words. But may I ask him if the argument behind opening new colleges, without achieving any substantial results from attempts made to provide basic education to everyone. And, for that matter, the number of qualified persons merely adds up to the unemployed multitude of society. We start looking at various jobs with prejudice and opinions as soon as we get qualified. All that matters for us is money, name and fame, for we think that we deserve more than what they are offering us
I remember, as a kid I wanted to become a scientist. About whom, I had an image in my mind of an earnest gentleman, rather a respected nobleman wearing a double breasted jacket with an aura of mystic and a smoking pipe for the countenance. However this image didn’t last long and very soon gave way to that of a ‘mad scientist’ which appalled me so much that I swore never to become a scientist in my life. Gradually my childhood fantasy took shape of a pilot, a soldier, a singer, a doctor and the most hilarious aim of my life, a match bookie aka matka king. Thankfully I ended up as an engineer, although not sure if I am the qualified one or the pun.
Just like me, every kid has his own fantasies, and opinions about what the world could be. There is nothing outlandish about it. But as we grow up, we need to make a decision about what we want to become. In India this decision is the sole right of parents, which the child has to cater anyhow. Even I thought sometimes that I’d become an Ad-maker or an Auto connoisseur. But my parents hold a different opinion. This issue however is not as serious as the one which explains the fact that out of 220 million kids registering for school every year, only 14 million of them make it to the colleges. Indeed I am pointing out at School drop-outs. There is nothing wrong with school-drop-outs, a poor labour is not a far-sighted being who will believe the benefits of education that we try to explain to them. All he worries about is earning bread. So from his position, barring his kids from going to school is justified. With the deceptive policies by the ‘chosen ones’ for the pariahs of the ‘ India 2020’ we can expect the 92.6% dropouts to go even higher..
Whatever educational model Mr. Sibal might propose, it won’t turn over a leaf unless the economic model accommodates the outcasts. From our part, we can contribute by changing ourselves, and consequently our society.