The Story Behind Our Education System

The current education system is not making the best use of the most precious natural resource this country possesses - its next generation. India needs an education system that evokes interest and stimulates children, providing them with the opportunity they need and deserve to fulfill their potential. This means providing a curriculum of practical and vocational learning with theoretical study.

We must recognise that children are individuals with different talents, dreams and aspirations. Not every child learns in the same way. Therefore, we need to develop a system that is based on a strong common core of essential skills and knowledge, which allows children to develop their own talents and aspirations. We must support children in discovering what they enjoy doing and are good at, and who they want to be in life. And we must encourage and support teachers and schools in responding to these different needs.

Some countries have a way better system of education that we can learn from and incorporate the same structure in our education setup. The British multinational Publication Company, Pearson, recently released their global report ranking nations of the world based on major factors in education, such as expenditure per student, GDP, graduation rates, etc. South Korea topped the rankings again this year, but Finland which is well known for its excellence in education fell to 5th place.

Some of the key findings of the report:

• East Asian nations continue to outperform others. South Korea tops the rankings, followed by Japan (2nd), Singapore (3rd) and Hong Kong (4th). The education systems of all these countries prize efforts above inherited ‘smartness’, and have clear learning out. They have a strong culture of accountability and engagement among a broad community of stakeholders

• Scandinavian countries, traditionally strong performers, are showing signs of losing their edge. Finland, the 2012 Index leader, has fallen to 5th place; and Sweden is down from 21st to 24th

• Notable improvements include Israel (up 12 places to 17th), Russia (up 7 places to 13th) and Poland (up four places to 10th).

• Developing countries populate the lower half of the Index, with Indonesia again ranking last of the 40 nations covered, preceded by Mexico (39th) and Brazil (38th).

10 Countries with best education and top Universities

CHANGE

 The top 10 countries with the world’s best education system and top universities are:

 1. South Korea

 Seoul National University; Image Source: http://www.yuseungkim.com/files/ui5.jpg

 2. Japan

University of Tokyo; Image Source:                                                                                         http://tmi.t.u-tokyo.ac.jp/english/images/admission_img01.jpg

 3. Singapore

National University of Singapore; Image Source:                                                             http://classic.marshall.usc.edu/assets/064/14380.jpg

 4. Hong Kong

University of Hong Kong, Image Source: http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/7/7b/The_University_of_Hong_Kong.jpg

 5. Finland

University of Helsinki; http://www.european-times.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/finland_university.jpg

 6. United Kingdom

Queen Mary University of London; Image Source: http://www.qmul.ac.uk/images/undergrad/64207.jpg

 7. Canada

University of Toronto, Image Source: http://www.transitionresourceguide.ca/sites/transitionresourceguide.ca/files/img/hero/university_of_toronto.jpg

 8. Netherlands

Maastricht University; Image Source: http://www.sigmainvestments.nl/board/sbebuilding.jpg

 9. Ireland

Trinity College, Dublin; Image Source:                                                                                http://www.ifsa-butler.org/images/stories/sig/program-cities/tcd/TrinityCollegeDublin.jpg

 10. Poland

University of Warsaw; Image Source: http://www.refo500.nl/content/news/950/medium/University_of_Warsaw.jpg

Every nation requires people with passion, know how, initiative, creativity, and knowledge; people who can get along with others, who know when to listen and when to lead. These skills and abilities cannot be gained in the classroom alone; they come from ‘practical learning’–learning by doing things for real, working with experts, and combining theory with practice. Young people will learn if they see learning as important, meaningful and worthwhile.

India needs to find its place among the best in terms of education!

The Most Beautiful And Breathtaking Places In The World

Being an avid traveler I have been all over the world, but I have a few favorites that need a special mention!

THE WONDERS OF CAIRO

Cairo, city of a thousand Minarets is a mesmerizing sight for the sore eyes. Set on river Nile the sprawling capital has Tahrir Square and the Egyptian Museum in its heart. I feel this city is the best place to explore Egyptian culture and history. The mysterious city boasts of Giza which is the site of magnificent pyramids and mysterious mummies.

 

City of Thousand Minarets, Cairo; Image Source:  http://wwp.greenwichmeantime.com/time-zone/africa/images/cairo-egypt.jpg

MAJESTIC MORROCO

City of Morroco is an absolute pleasure for a travel enthusiast. For Travelers like me who like an off-beat destination, the valley of Ameln in Morroco is an awesome place to explore! Situated in the Tiznit Province of Souss Massa Region, the spectacular Jebel-el-Kest range forms the backdrop of the valley. Lining the northern bank of the valley it forms the backdrop of the Anti-Atlas Mountains to the north of Tafraout. The valley has 26 villages huddled together at the slopes of Jebel-el-Kest.

 

Ameln Valley of Morocco, Image Source:  http://static.panoramio.com/photos/original/404994.jpg

AWESOME OTTAWA

Canada’s Southeastern Capital of Ottawa sits in Ontario at the border of Quebec. Synonymous with Victorian architecture the city is situated on the river Ottawa. The spectacular Parliament Hill stands at the centre of the city along with famous museums like the glass and granite National Gallery with noted collections of famous Canadian and indigenous artists.

 

Spectacular Parliament Hill, Ottawa; Image Source:  http://yow.dreamstakeflight.ca/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/ottawa_option.jpg

BEAUTIFUL BELFAST

The beautiful city of Belfast is the capital of Northern Ireland. The brilliant city is the birthplace of Titanic and is also known for its political murals documenting the troubles of Twentieth century.

 

Beautiful city of Belfast, Image Source:  http://www.belfastcentre.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/Belfast_Streets_Ahead_201109_146-copy2.jpg

The city’s renovated dockyard has the Titanic Quarter which houses the Titanic Belfast Museum. The museum brings to the fore a nostalgic sad memory of the grand ship that was believed to be unsinkable. With its aluminum clad edifices it reminds of the ship’s hull, its builder Harland and Wolf’s drawing offices and the ships slipways that now host open-air concerts.

 

Titanic Belfast Museum, Image Source:  http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/4/44/Titanic_Belfast_side_view.jpg

SCENIC SANTORINI

Santorini is one of the most scenic cities of Greece. The city is one of the Cyclades islands in the Aegean Sea, was devastated by a volcanic eruption in the 16th century B.C.E., forever shaping its rugged landscape and villages. The whitewashed, cubist houses of its two main towns, Fira and Oia, cling to cliffs above an underwater crater. They overlook the clear Aegean Sea and beaches made up of black, white and red lava pebbles.

 

Scenic City of Santorini; Image Source:  http://cache.graphicslib.viator.com/graphicslib/thumbs674x446/2462/SITours/santorini-island-day-trip-in-heraklion-141676.jpg