Tiger Tales

Chua’s idea of child rearing is something we Indians are all too familiar with. After being nameless,faceless role numbers in classrooms where you’re one among 55 (the count in my class when I passed out in 1994),you’re expected to magically ace every paper and sail into the best college around. Effortlessly,preferably,and certainly without complaining. No matter how outrageous it is that a single board or entrance exam can determine your career path or future.

While the Americans are slowly digesting Chua’s extreme views on child rearing,educated urban Indian parents are moving away from this strict traditional model,the endless cycle of study,learn and memorise. The most sought after schools in Delhi and Mumbai are Vasant Valley and the Ambani School,that don’t have exams till class five. Ranks are completely passé. On report card day,the most politically incorrect question to ask a teacher is,“how does my child stand in the class? First,fifth or tenth?” (The ranking system is so deeply ingrained in our education psyche,many parents simply can’t resist asking.)

In these schools,homework is referred to as fun sheets,with lots of drawing and colouring involved,to make it less tedious,I guess. More than rote,kids are encouraged to do show and tells,a lovely concept I thought,where you bring anything of interest and explain it to the class. There has also been an explosion of international schools across India offering IB programmes and the GCSE board,where you compete with yourself only,and you are judged on projects and case studies. Experience learning,is the motto.

Are we lowering standards by not expecting our kids to come first? Finding the balance between keeping the motivation up without too much pressure is a tough one. The biggest advantage of the old Indian model of education is that you’re constantly tested and held up to scrutiny. The fear of being the worst among your peers,drives performance,and is crucial to create competitive kids,according to Chua. She might have a point. But there isn’t one solution and there are less hard core ways to create that edge.

(hutkayfilms@gmail.com)