Knowledge is the hallmark of an
advanced and civilized society. Nobody can deny the importance of knowledge in
today’s world. The main reason behind the success and prosperity of the European
countries is their advancements in many fields of knowledge, especially in
Science and technology. The success of their business and trade and products all
over the world is due to the continuous innovations they make and new
discoveries.
The topic of importance of knowledge is well-known and a lot of material has
been presented and written on it. So we leave this topic and try to know, what
is the source of knowledge or how good scholars, scientists and specialists are
made? In my point of view the universities and colleges in modern countries are
a source for producing people to be supportive for their economy or business.
But instead of being just economy-oriented, their quality of education, the
assessment system and the research-oriented environment makes their knowledge
work.
But in Pakistan the condition is completely different, most of the students
consider the education only a tool to get job and have a source of income. I
admit that earning a fair living is an obligation, but relating education just
with materialistic pursuits is not good thinking. At this point, someone may
question that students in developed countries also have similar objectives, then
why they are successful? The answer is the difference in education systems and
environments. Unfortunately a student with good memory in our educational system
can pass the exams with good marks and grades even though he or she does not
possess real knowledge or expertise in the field. The assessment or evaluation
system can not differentiate the capable students and those who cram. Most of
the students consider passing exams and promotion in higher classes sufficient
without caring of what they have gained or what skills they possess. Most
students do not have love or affection with their books or field, in fact some
hate books and consider them useless after passing the exams. The marks or
grades that are printed on a paper are considered more important than the
skills, expertise, intellect, creativeness and personal character of a person.
The results of these trends are in the form of lacking practical skills,
dependency upon foreigners, lack of creativeness and innovation, greediness and
moral decline.
Some solutions
Improvements in assessment and evaluation system.
Education should not be associated with just job attainment but consider as an
obligation and as a pride of humanity.
More emphasis on skills, conceptual understanding and implication rather than
grades.
Research-based, practical-oriented educational environment that increases the
student’s interest in the field.
Proper counseling of students, our students are searching for a direction and
goal.