Rebooting books, examinations, degrees…..
Where does one of the oldest civilisations in the world see themselves after a decade?
In Computer Science, the way we design our codes, we get the output in the same way. It can have errors, which we debug. But all these start once we initiate to program first.
2020 has brought a series of terrible stories across the globe, but there are some positive shifts on which we haven’t emphasized yet. It is natural to be cautious about our health. Our lives will tend to normalize gradually, once we are vaccinated.
But today, we are here to decode a much-needed reformation in the Indian education system (New Education Policy). It took over three decades to twig the continued policy. However, it received maximum thumbs-up responses from educational experts, experienced teachers, past students, and parents too.
There is various flexibility introduced in this amendment:
Ø No more 10+2 system in the school by a new 5+3+3+4 curricular structure.
Ø No language will be imposed on any student; they can study in regional languages.
Ø Flexible to entry or exit to any degree is allowed with relevant certificate and so on.
All the above points sound progressive move toward a visionary education law. But as an ardent programmer from my schooling, I am concerned only with the inclusion of ‘Coding subject’ for students in class-6 onward.
I wished this would be functional when I was at school so that we would be inseparable to date ….
We???
Yeah! We mean me and my programming journey.
Sorry, sorry!!! This is a different story; I will share this on another day.
Hmmm… yeah, as a programmer, I love to share my viewpoints regarding the introduction of coding subject for standard 6 kids. For me, this is the coolest and forward-thinking steps to polish current Indian education because I always blame our education system for not being able to continue this passion in coding after board test (std-10).
Stop…! Please don’t judge me that I could have followed my passion if I had a genuine interest.
Okay, you tell me…How many of you had your personal internet connection in 2011?
The online instructor which is quite common now?
What about the cost of the data pack?
Most importantly, I am a mediocre student.
Now, convinced?
Yes, I know you are. So, if we had such a flexible education curriculum at that time, many students and I could have excelled in our careers instead of mugging irrelevant subjects. Not only this skill makes up to idle hobby list or CV but also enable someone financially independent and helps to excel in their career scale.
Mostly for school students, who are quite well set with ongoing online education and Indian parents, who are always tensed about their child education (sorry! higher education, Isn’t it?), let’s dip down into the aftermath positive side of this policy.
- High time to do so.
As we know technology is changing at a fast pace, coming generations need to cope up to move neck-to-neck. The panacea lies with coding. Because we notice the highest paying job positions (e.g. Data Scientist), did not even exist a decade ago.
2. Broaden thinking ability.
“Everybody in this country should learn how to program a computer, because it teaches you how to think.”- Steve Jobs
Can you relate this?
You can’t if you don’t program.
“Whether you want to uncover the secret of the universe, or just you want to pursue in 21st century, basic programming language is an essential skill to learn.”- Stephen Hawking
Sure! I completely agree with these statements. Apart from enhancing logical thinking, it also instills problem-solving addiction.
3. Versatility in the application.
Though it uses mathematical logic and methods, it is not limited to mathematical applications. It is widely used by physicists, chemists, biologists, economists, and the list goes on. Specifically, it is dominantly evident from computational research for the COVID-19 vaccine.
4. International programming competition.
Competitive Programming will surely boom across India among school and college students globally like code jam, kick start, HackerEarth, top coder, Facebook Hacker Cup, etc.
5. Threshold expectation from the employer.
In the mid of the computer revolution, knowledge of at least one basic programming language is the minimum skill required to be employed irrespective of job positions.
6. Combination of ‘desi jugaad’ and technology.
It’s quite common that when Indians are dexterous in any particular skill, they are capable enough to apply for their petty purposes.
7. The boom in entrepreneurship.
Tech-based innovations and start-ups will be boosted exponentially which is mostly seen in western countries like the US, Europe, Canada, etc.
8. Birth of new profession.
With the pace we are moving ahead into a new technological era, it will be unbelievable for us to predict what pattern of new jobs we will be doing in the coming few years.
Ultimately, I have gathered so many positive outcomes for which young generations are waiting since long ago. We are happy, ah..?
Hold on!!!
Did it really go like a smooth flow that you guys were captivated with for my above reasons?
Big No!!!!
Reasons?
Because it’s Indiaaaaa…..
Just follow me to know why I say so.
- Concern for govt. aided schools.
Are we really prepared in terms of infrastructures in especially government-aided schools?
Negative.
As we know what is the present infrastructure for the traditional form of education in these government schools. Then, how can we step into upcoming modernized classes?
2. Apt Instructors.
Even for a small change in education pattern, it’s the teachers who actually bring it to the ground. So, it’s really a big challenge to motivate good programmers to take up the teaching profession (especially in India). The reason is that they are highly paid in corporate sectors having the flexibility to switch to other technical fields.
Moreover, this profession needs to be fun, engaging, and creative.
3. Coding classes in rural India.
This pandemic has exposed the real gap between rural and urban India because only 8% of the young members have access to computers and internet connection. Moreover, communication in workplaces is still a big issue.
Then, how are we ready to deliver basic coding classes in the rural side?
4. Career development qualities.
Apart from coding expertise, don’t you think that we must emphasize personality building qualities like officer-like-qualities in Indian Armed forces. As 80% of the Indian engineers are unfit for their concerned job.
5. What about outdoor games?
Enough of education talk!!!
Isn’t that much necessary for us to also focus on the health condition of the students?
No doubt it will empower the young brains to design a video game and other software devices but simultaneously, it will take many outdoor games among students, which is fading activities in today’s time.
As I said erstwhile that we need to introduce some visionary changes, then we could address the after-effects.
Anyways, if we Indians are open to implementing this education policy on the ground zero with required corrections. India would be the hub of STEM education in the world.
Sounds over-confident and highly enthusiastic?
“We owe a lot to ancient Indians, teaching us how to count. Without which most modern scientific discoveries would not have been possible.”-Albert Einstein
Yeah, this land of sages and agnostics had discovered many theories and scientific methods that helped modern science and technology.
Let us enlist a few contributions:
1. Value of nothing.
Mathematician Aryabhatta created the symbol numerical digit Zero.
2. Decimal System.
With the simplicity of the decimal representation of fractional numbers enabled calculation. This system made the uses of arithmetic in practical inventions a much faster and convenient manner.
3. Binary numbers.
Yes, all know it is the basic notion of the present computer. Certain combinations of sets of two numbers 1 and 0 are called bits and bytes and so on. He is a Vedic scholar Pingala, who describes in his book Chandahśāstra.
4. Numeral Notations.
Even before 500 BCE, Indians had designed a system of various symbols for all numbers from one to nine. This representation system was adopted by the Arabs who called it the hind numerals. Many years later, this notation idea was adopted by the western people who called them the Arabic numerals because it reached them through the Arab traders.
Many more facts regarding ancient scientific discoveries are there. Those are even stranger to Indians like Fibonacci numbers, value of pie, Chakravala method of Algorithms, Ruler measurements, Theory behind atom, The heliocentric theory, Plastic surgery, Cataract surgery , Theory of gravity ( Sorry! It was not Newton).
Is your mind blown from all these?
No.
Then, you are too good at digging out information from the past. Congrats!!!!
The point that I want to make here is to show some glimpse of future India with proper educational facilities.
I feel proper and indiscriminate education can sustain harmony across the world.
