W H Y O N L Y T H E L E F T B R A I N?

Back in time when I was in school I was often told to work up on my mathematics as it was really poor and still is. I tried my level best to do but in vain. Having a keen interest in arts and painting especially, my mind always worked in that direction and I was always told that it will always be a hobby and ‘Art’ cannot be ever looked up as a career. I often wondered what this word career meant. It was very early in school that I realized that the education system was never for me or for many others who thought the same way. My parents did agree with me but we had no way out. I had no choice but to complete those 10 years of ‘mugging-up’ education. School life is always fun, no doubt but the ‘education’ half is not something that was never interesting for me.

Our right side of the brain is the creative, intuitive side of us while the left is more analytical, rational and technical as we say. I feel in our education system, the left side of the brain was always stressed upon and given more importance. We were always made to believe that being a topper in class meant scoring highest marks in science and mathematics, and art was something which could not go beyond local art competitions that were held twice a year. Maths and science was taught everyday sometimes twice a day and the so called art class was once a week. Art class was a place for recreation for those who were not interested in it and for those who were, a topic was given or something on the good old black board was to be ‘COPIED’ exactly the way it was.

I think if one is talking about serious education then it should rather be like I recently saw in Auroville, where knowledge is nothing but a beautiful and interactive way of learning. Very practical and precise. I recently heard about something called ‘home- schooling’. Why not? As long one is learning and also doing things one wants to with equal interest. When I spoke to some students who have home-schooled, I found that they are much more ‘knowledgeable’ than ‘us’ who have completed 10 or 12 years of formal education. This is because they were exposed to all the things around them whether it was math’s, science, social-sciences, sports or arts. The freedom a child needs when he grows has to be given to him.

Having been a a part of a school for 'special children' I have always observed that children of any age group, know their capacities. They have certain dreams for themselves which they want to fulfill. They are very aware of what is happening around them and know which is the right time to do so. they know the exact time to explore their hidden talents. But all this happens only when he/she is given the right kind of freedom.

For me any person who thinks and has an opinion of himself is intelligent. Expressing oneself in the right way, being very aware about what is happening around us, connecting to the world, knowing our past and interpreting the future is knowledge. Then let every individual do it the way he/she wants to. If math’s could be taught through some creative ideas then why not? If someone is terrible with sciences but has a flair for writing then why not give that extra effort or support? I believe that there are far more technicalities involved in arts or any form of it because you are interpreting some things around you in your own way. It has no formula or steps to be followed. It has steps which you will create and others might follow.

I would like to share this post to all the young parents and teachers who are on the verge of sending their children to schools.