Learning How To Think

“Today my adoration for Ranchoo went up. We used to go college only to get a degree. If we do not have a degree, we would not get a job; if we do not have a job, we would not get a good spouse…but he came to the college only to study, not for a degree!” Thus a (translated) dialogue in 3 Idiots that argued for knowledge, not degree, and it fits well with the object of Your Degree Is Not Enough. Rajendra Pratap Gupta was a member of the drafting committee to formulate the government’s New Education Policy. Most of Gupta’s ideas, discussed here, have featured in the National Education Policy 2020.

“Is the duty of education just to help us get into a job...?” asks the author. Degree is only one aspect; more important is education, followed by knowledge and wisdom. The Indian education system, with strong imprints of Macaulay’s concept of getting a ‘degree’ followed by a job, is sturdily denou­nced here.

Gupta broadens the scope of discussion on education—it sho­uld impart values in an individual along with knowledge and skills, and eventually take him or her to the level of self-actualisation. In a global education survey, less than 50 per cent believed that education has a major role to play to maximise their potential on achieving life goals. In India, about 80 per cent respondents felt that education is not enough to prepare children for the future.

Gupta argues against a standardised model of education. “Every single individual is a unique being” and has what he terms as a “Unique Individual Potential (UIP)”, which should be nurtured. The education system ought to provide opportunity and create space for an individual to pursue her area of interest. To prove his point, he gives the examples of how Azim Premji, Sachin Tendulkar and Dhirubhai Ambani, the highest of achievers, are all dropouts!

The book discusses various types of intelligence. The current system deals with ‘academic intelligence’ by equipping the learner with skills in language, maths etc. Gupta argues for a ‘working int­elligence’—a combination of attributes—which will equip her with the ability to manage her day-to-day life better. We know about int­elligence quotient (IQ), emotional quotient (EQ) and spiritual quotient (SQ). The author discusses a new one: Imagination Quotient. If nurtured through education, it will “enh­a­nce curiosity, creativity and the ability to think futuristic,” asserts Gupta.

The book deliberates various aspects of a futuristic education policy for GenNext. Among others, it emphasises on the ‘equity and inclusion’ in the framework of social justice as enshrined in the Constitution. It is necessary to provide quality education to the most vulnerable that will help them escape economic and social exclusion. Gupta recommends universal education till the secondary level, including skill education and special attention for girls.  

Education for GenNext, in addition to being application-centric, must have a long-term outcome-based appr­oach. The learner ought to study her country’s knowledge, traditions and practi­ces, which helps build “pride and self-esteem”.

The education system, Gupta feels, should have as medium of instruction the mother tongue till the 10th year of the child. He cites the example of many developed countries like Japan, France, Russia, UK and a developing country like China, which, he argues, have done well because education there is imparted in their native language. The book connects the literary and cultural aspects of a society to education and reasons that such values should rightfully be conveyed to the next generation. Values like honesty and integrity, hard work, team spirit, discipline and social responsibility should be imparted to the learner through education, he says. Gupta also has recommendations on areas of higher education and research, which will ensure self-reliance and prosperity for India.

Given that the new education policy gives flexibility to institutions to devise courses and to teachers to choose ways of teaching, this book will serve as a ready reckoner for them.

Your Degree Is Not Enough is a good basis to guide the education system, one that can catapult it to a global power in the 21st century.

(Baisakh is a senior journalist)