Chalk n Duster for the Future

My UBER cab driver last day ,spoke in semi- English , was extra polite and conveyed that he is new to the city. 

Talking further, I asked ,"So, When did u reach Kochi?". He said its just 3 weeks and he came for his studies. "Oh, What are you studying?"  He said that he is doing his MBA degree..  I was surprised and happy to hear that.

And by now, he has given me ample topic to talk for the next 1 hour of my journey! So, there went, my next question," So, why MBA and why Uber?"

He said, " Ma'am, If I am at home ..I will depend on my parents for my needs. Staying away from family, I can manage my studies as well as my expenses. And the best part is that none of my relatives will crib on the fact that I work as a cab driver "

He said he has got 75 percent in his BCom and he could have got admission in a local BSchool in TVM , where he belongs to.  But he didn't want to join for a fulltime MBA spending over 4 Lakhs of his parent's money.  Instead he wants to get work experience along with his degree. So he came to Kochi and then registered for distance education MBA and now searching for a part time job other than uber taxi .

For the next 45 mins, it was more of a Free career counseling session for him and I advised him on ideas to improve his communication skills as well as on how to get a  part time job. 

By the time, I got out of the car, i felt excited at the fact that I had a meaningful career talk with a 20 year old guy belonging to a rural area and could help him clarify his doubts regarding his choice of direction and the ways he should complete his education. 

This incident actually made me think about the mode of education - especially higher education and qualifications should be in future.  When the content part of any education could be catered by "distance education" or "online education", what does a student need beyond?

But,before that, "To be educated or not ?" This is a pertinent question these days considering the increasing cost of education and the shift in focus of education as an "investment" which should have ROI . We are all blaming the education system in India. But we too are a product of the same. In fact, all our current generation of successful scientists or technologists or sociologists are belonging to the same. But yes, the issue is when the millennials and the children  are finding issues with employability, lack of Career orientation , life orientation and improper ambitions. 

Yes, we need to create the need for education - by helping them realise the "why" for education rather than "what" for education.  If we can help  them think of a larger world  view of trying to solve world problems like environment issues, technology issues, eliminating corruption or improving economy, their interest to study geography, science , civics and economics will improve. But it's easily said than done. 

And that's where I think the role of trainers and coaches are. Trainers help students to think by themselves and the ordinary teachers teach what the syllabus tells.

Now, coming back to our original question of what a student needs beyond what is available in the internet- My vision for future of education is simple- All the knowledge part (content part) will be taken over by technology and gadgets . All teachers then become inspirers , coaches and trainers. Their role is to  inculcate an interest to studies as well as help in coaching the skills needed for practicing their area of operations.   A teacher for tomorrow will become Trainer for Tomorrow who brings the best resources to the classroom and inculcates life skills, values, passion, interest , aptitude, attitude  and ethics in the students.  

Let the Chalks of future  write more about Dreams and Opportunities .And Let the Dusters of future wipe away worries of world. 

Awaiting a new dawn in education,

CeeVee

Jan 2016

 P.S: www.facebook.com/T4TKNet has a Video on "Idea of Education" by Sadhguru. Pls check it out when you have time.