By Sanjay N
(A student of Journalism at SMU-DE)
Every important exam result delivers great stories of great people on their journey in this great odyssey called life. The 2014 Karnataka pre university (12th) exam result of Karnataka was no different.
The most incredible story is of a 2nd PUC Arts topper Naveen from Raichur, who belonged to a poor family and did not even afford to continue his education after 10th.
He aced the 2nd PUC exam against all odds, today Naveen is a role model for all students mainly who live in rural areas of the society.
On the other instance on the same day, it was shocking to know about a tragic story of girl who committed suicide because of prank call that acknowledged that she had failed in the exam, but in fact she had scored first class.
It was a tragedy that she had succeeded in exam, but failed in life. If our education system and this mentality of the society had succeeded, that girl would have come out in flying colours in life.
It brings to spotlight unpragmatic planning in our education system. Our education system teaches us “How to make a living?” Not, “How to make a life?”
It does not inculcate ethics, life skills, and communication skills etc. which are more important than physics, chemistry, mathematics, economics, accountancy and other subjects. Successful people were those who made a life not just a living.
Albert Einstein once remarked “You never fail until you stop trying.” If that girl was made to understand this, she would have made another attempt even if she had.
Many great people knew that exams were part of life not life itself. Of course good marks on your certificate put you on a better platform for success, but it is not a dead end if you don’t have it.
The great wizard of the Menlo Park‟ Thomas Alva Edison was sent home from school by his teacher telling that he was not capable of studying to his mother. Then he was mostly home tutored by his mother. The rest as they say is history.
It’s not a necessary to move so far in time and place for an example. Chenraj Jain, chief of Jain Group of Institution in Bangalore was not even a 10th pass.
Instead of overemphasis on marks students should be encouraged to cultivate curiosity.
Abraham Lincoln, the great president of America had just 18 months of schooling. The qualifications he had was curiosity and graduation from this great University called life.
As Seneca says “You learn in life not in school.” Exams are just a rat race even if you win you are just a rat.
History judges the person not his percentages. Life is too big to be measured by numbers. That too from numbers obtained in an exam of just 3 hours is imprudent.
