THE MISGUIDES...

Tuition and coaching have become the rule of the day. Today even the smallest kid of the family is a part of this routine affair. Reading textbooks and self study are becoming a history. Another ‘aid’ in study is the guides which provide capsule answers to all the textbook questions along with extra questions preparing the strong ground for facing the examinations. The student minds are stereotyped set as machines to undergo the exercise of examination. Is this trend really welcoming?
The other day I was helping my brother with his studies. We were taking a lesson in history, when he argued with me over a question in the textbook. I felt uncomfortable when Rani Lakshmi Bai was referred to as the wife of Nana Sahib and Peshwa Baji Rao as their adopted son. Discussing the issue with him and providing him clarifications was difficult. But in the course of investigation of the issue, I understood that it was a ‘guide’ that misguided him. It is really saddening that a recognized publisher should commit such blunders in printing books. Psychologically, that which registers in the young minds is difficult to erase. My brother had been fortunate enough to realize the mistake before registering it in the permanent memory. But how many children get to discuss their study materials at home?
Today the parents hardly get time to spend with their children. They are in a rush to earn money and make their future safe. Foreseeing the increasing inflationary tendencies, high cost of living, cost of education and the cost of health, they cannot be blamed for this. But the fact remains that parenting is an art which is to be performed with full dedication and devotion.
Coming back to the issue, say good bye to guides and make textbooks your friends. Make yourself more creative to excel in life. Realize that examinations and marks are not the end of life but a beginning. ‘A good beginning means half done.’ So prepare well for the examinations to give a good start to the journey of life. Let your contributions reflect in the papers…