Let us save each others time and patience by not going in to the details of what is being taught in the schools in India but rather focus on one issue that requires our urgent attention. That is ’’Sex Education’’
Education is one single factor enough to change the entire structure of any country. It is not the question of good education or bad education but it is the provision of CORRECT education that we need to focus on.
By correct education I mean giving knowledge at the correct age, correct time and in the correct measure and with the correct mechanism to act and counteract based on the knowledge armed with. Topics like ’’pre-marital sex’’ and ’’the right age to marry’’ etc is being discussed with much concern, in the light of the present scenario. I wish to highlight some of the fact and mannerism in which young minds are dealt with during their adolescence. In 5th grade here in Bombay, we had a guest lecture on ’’sex education’’. The teacher came in our class 5 minutes before the lecture and announced the event. A talk and some slide show. The word was buzzing around, and every conversation was focused on the word ’’sex’’ coupled with mockeries, giggles and loads of timorousness. The fact that it was going to be an educational lecture was not understood by anyone, simply because it was not done in a correct manner. With guys, and girls all around sex education had simply become - ’’sex is fun’’ or for many it was an embarrassing moment. The lecture was good, but it did not create the impact nor the desired result it aimed to achieve.
The purpose of this whole excercise comes to void due to the following reason:
There was no mock shows of the event by people who can take the students in confidence- class teachers, parents etc.
The young mind is not prepared in advance to understand the many facets of things existing around.
No follow ups of the event is ever taken care of,
The management is not bothered as to who understood what was being taught and how much.
Parents are rarely and in some cases are NEVER informed about whats happening outside the classrooms and the text book. They often get to hear a weak and a confused version from their children.
The above failure is not limited to such event alone but by and large all. Especially for such educational lectures I personally feel it should not be discussed so openly unless and until your audience is matured enough to understand the seriousness of the issue. The best way to impart such education is through parents. If need be schools and colleges here should conduct Parent - Teachers meeting, have open debates, discussions and seminars.
But it is easier said than done. Parenting was not a serious issue with most mothers and fathers in the past and it was beautifully executed generation after generation with parents being the authoritative figure , drawing lines where necessary. But today, with Values more Society based, as contrast to Society being Value based, loads have critical issues relating to Parenting have gone all glitched up and unstable. India and its cultural values are slowly moving down hill, moving in the pyres, the flame of which has already engulfed the west. Teenagers in the west are exposed to nudity, in the name of education. More and more outlets to satiate oneself are minting money on such naive people. What is the use of providing education on sex, when a 15 year old has easy access to all the porn and dating websites. Yes, they take an agreement that you have to be 18 and above but hey who cares and verifies if its not a 12 year old ! And what the heck, at 18 are we all angels?! Why doesn’t the government simply ban such websites! Now they are encroaching on the Indian crowd, because these sorry lot know how starved the indians are and how cleverly they are victimized through the process of globalization.
My Advice to All:
Educate yourself first: Know whats happening around, get yourself updated of the fast changing scenario of the society.
Correct time: Knowledge can become counterproductive if it is blatantly passed on. Sex education must be gradual and regular.
Do not ignore the facts and do not underestimate the possibilities of any event.
Many parents are shy of discussing these issues face to face with their children. T best way would be to encourage them to Read good books that deals with these issues. Provide them such informative and well written books and the other best sources available. Keep a tab of what they read. It is proven that most people believe what they read.
Last and the most important message that I would like to convey is ’’befriend your children’’. Let them know that parents are there for them and they are the first person a child must turn to, seeking advice.
While I started this article by showing my displeasure on the education system in our country I learned during the process of writing that all it needs to improve this system is for like minded people to come together and share their opinion and lay the foundation for a better morrow.
I would love to hear the differences of opinion too from you- its the path towards growth, and a good one:)
Cheers.