There is a proverb goes - “there is more than meets
the eye”, meaning there is more to know about something or someone than it
seems first. Elon Musk is just the kind of person who matches with above
proverb. We all know him as the CEO of Tesla motors and SpaceX. But how many
among us know about his vision regarding schooling system?
In a recent interview, Elon musk expressed his concern
regarding the current schooling system. Musk said that the present schools are
not doing what they should have done in teaching kids.
Therefore he took the matter in his own hand by
creating his own school called “Ad Astra” means “To the stars”, which consists
of 14 children at present. He hired a teacher away from his kid’s former school
to teach the kids at Ad Astra. Musk’s five children are also part of his new
school. The rest of the children come from his SpaceX colleagues. He also
planned to expand the number of student to 20 by this September. Musk
elaborated how this school works. He said that there are no grades; not one,
two or three. He wants to go all the children in the same grade at the same
time.
He is making a difference through his school as he
focuses on “teach to the problem” instead “teach to the tools”. He even gave an
example which will allow apparent understanding. So instead of teaching the
kids about the screwdriver and wrenches, he said he would present them with an
engine and ask them to take it apart. That’s when the application of the tools becomes
apparent he illuminated.
He seems pretty hopeful with his new school as
because his students love coming to school and that exactly should be the
attitude of the students. Motivation and inspiration will lead them to build a
better future.
The same impediment exists here in Bangladesh too.
Schools are becoming so commercials that they don’t care about what the
students are learning. True learning does not limited to high grades.
As one of our great literate, Sir Abdullah Abu syed said that fail to excel in education doesn’t
necessarily limited to student’s capacity but also to their parent’s
underestimation of their child subject preference. Most parents’ perception in
choosing subjects is orthodox and traditional; therefore most of the students
end up studying the subject that they don’t like whereas it should be the other
way around. Elon musk indicated the same pattern of thinking to the
interviewer. He quoted:
"Some
people love English or other languages. Some people love math. Some people love
music.”."It makes more sense to cater the education to match their
aptitudes and abilities."
While few authorities are concerned very much about
the importance of smart schooling system, our education system lacks this
urgency. We saw more than 2 lakh students graduated with highest grade GPA 5.00
from school this year. Question is how many of them have really learned and how
many of them have just got the grades? May be that’s what we should be
thinking.
Elon Musk’s creative way of teaching can also be
implemented in our educational system. There are some possible ways through
which we can achieve that:
Changing perception-
If we can’t change our perception and stick to back dated culture, we will
never be able to emerge in this industry. Parents should give their child
preference to choose their own subject; that way children will love going to
institution, learn and create new things.
Emphasize on practicality-
Rather than depending on bookish knowledge, government or educational
institutions can introduce field based or practical applications of the theory
which students are learning at school or college or even at university.
Digital service-
With the help of technology, we can improve the way of learning. Government
already decided to provide tablets in distant educational institutions which
will definitely encourage kids to present and anticipate in activities during
school hours.
Enrollment limitation-
Another major problem is that the ratio between number of teachers and students
in a single class. Enrollment ratio in a year is so high that we see one
teacher delivering against 40 or 50 students in a class. As a result, a teacher
will not be able to reach out each and every student during class hours. In
developed countries the scenario is opposite.
Undoubtedly school is the base for every child to
learn the right thing in the right way. Once this base is created, you won’t
suffer through your whole life understanding the basics and therefore it will
help you understanding each term as you go for higher education. On the other
hand, if you don’t follow the correct way, you may shine for the time being,
but in the long run, you shall falter in each steps.
In a recent report I came to know that no single
university from Bangladesh exists in the first 100 Asian best university
ranking list. Don’t you still think we need to change our system?
Share your view of Elon Musk’s schooling system and
how we can enhance it in our country.
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