16 December 2013
Regarding the debate about genetic role in the ability of a child to be academically bright, allow me to share the Indian approach to this which was developed thousands of years ago.
According to the ancient Hindu scriptures there are four psychological categories of human beings. The first is the intellectual type who will excel academically; the second is the warrior type for whom leadership and courage will come naturally; the third type is one who exceeds in trade, business and agriculture; the last type is the artisan type for whom any occupation requiring making things, comes naturally -anything from carpentry to fixing cars they excel in,
A class of students will have all four types. For some of these students understanding Shakespeare will be a doddle, but for some it will be impossible. The education system should be designed to work out which student is more inclined to a particular discipline. No one is a failure. It is very wrong to measure success simply by the numbers who go to university. Our country desperately needs builders, carpenters etc. and we need to raise the profile of vocational courses.
Nitin Mehta
Croydon, Surrey
Recent Comments