The word “Education” means different things to different individuals. Even in the same person the meaning perceived could depend on the context.

For some, being educated means acquiring a bunch of degrees, while for others it may mean being cultured. Yet for some others it may mean the ability to remember data even if it is irrelevant at the moment, like which is the Capital of the State of Mizoram or some such thing, and a few others it is the ability for making money or “getting along in this world”.

The quiz programs in the Television promoted through enticing students of glittering financial and other rewards are a case in point. Does it matter that much if one is able to or unable to remember who is the music director of a particular song or who invented “Nylon” or the “aero plane”?

Cardinal Newman has this to say. “The product of a University is not a divine, not even a scholar but a Gentleman”

The WHO (World Health Organisation) expects the following “life skills” in a University graduate,

“Life skills” according to WHO (1994)

Core life skills

Decision making

Problem solving

Creative thinking

Critical thinking

Effective communication

Interpersonal relationship

Self awareness

Empathy

Coping with emotions

Coping with stress

The objectives of education according to Bloom’s Taxonomy in the cognitive domain are as follows, The university graduate is expected to acquire all these skills while at school.

Note: the acquisition of “Knowledge” is at the bottom of the ladder meaning least important.

The question now is, are these objectives of education, prescribed by eminent educationists and premier organizations of repute are being realised in our schools, colleges and universities? Well even at the first glance it is apparent that it is not. This state of affairs is not confined to any one particular school, state or even a nation. It looks like it is a “global” phenomenon, worse in some places than the others.