Towards this attempt, yet again I met the principal of the school today and heard the same words again. I had spoken to the manager of his kindergarten earlier last year, the principal, consultant of the schools both in Germany and Switzerland in the past 1 year.
The views are not positive & they are so prejudiced. The generalisation about us is my concern and I'm completely aghast now and wondering how so many Indian children who have to come back to India and continue their studies, cope up with this attitude their teachers and friends have towards them.
This is what they say about Indian education system and how Indians react to their children:
- Indian education system just believes in "memorising" without giving a thought to "application"...
- Indian children speak more than one language & hence they are more "confused"...
- Indian parents forever "push" their children to "learn" and not "study"..
- Indian children find it difficult to speak "English" as the parents speak "local Indian" language...
- Becuase of the education system, the researches in India don't get an opportunity to work in India & hence are moving abroad.
(there were many more such statements - I shall include when Im able to recollect)
For a mother of boy child:
The below comparision b/w boy and girl came about because of the recent "development" in my child's academic interests. Though it was also mentioned, "there are exceptions and gifted kids too".
- From ancient times, we know men hae a natural instinct to be hunters, providers and protect their family. Schools were made to "tame" them.
- Girls are naturally drawn towards activites as they are "social".
- Boys need the company of girls to learn social skills.
- Girls are atleast 2-3 yrs ahead in "brain spurts" than boys.
- Boy have their maximum growth when they are at Grade 10th, so they excell better in Maths & Science..
- If boys are pushed for their age to be in the same class as girls, it would do them "irreversible damage" in their "self-esteem" when they are not able to cope up.
- boys are made of 90% male genes and 10% female genes (ie from the parent) (a little different is also possible)
- boys become "responsible" wrt academics only after the age of 5-6 yrs.
What is your take on these arguments?
I'm drafting my views on this, till I read yours.
Ha Ha... Great Views.. I am laughing.. I am mother of 4 year old BOY. Hmm.. My little boy is more comfortable with English than his mother tongue or local language. Some people do tell Girls and boys do things at their own pace. But Arent boys also top classes many times. It is too silly to argue these things. I would prefer to talk Case by case than generalizing things.. like Indians are like this.. or boys are like this.
ReplyDeleteI prefer an answer even if my child is not ready, your child is not ready for KG class or whatever.
Thank God.. My son goes to a school where including principal everyone believes every kid will do but at their own pace.. and school and parent's role to make child ready. not to push child into any activity.
Hi Bidisha,
ReplyDeleteMy two cents on it ..
I agree somewhat to the fact that mostly girls are more social (read talkative) than boys. Boys have instead a lot more energy , which needs to be channelized. 'Taming' was an unnecessary word.
About the 'Indian' comments, these authorities seem to have based their opinions from certain examples. Nevertheless Indians did excel with this education system , atleast our generation. It is just up to us to give the right dose of academics. I find nothing bad about the Indian way. It is how others interpret it. N most Europeans have a weird picture of India. Dev , I understand, is an intelligent and sensitive child. I am sure he'll excel in what he does. You want to give him the best and may be thats what worries you. :)