I have always held the belief that the root cause for the current state of education is the quality (or rather the lack of it) of the school teachers at the Primary and Secondary level. They lack in both the understanding of the childrens psychology and on how to transfer the knowledge to the kids. This also stems from the fundamental deficiency in understanding the nature of their job. Merely getting a post graduate degree and B.Ed is no substitute for wisdom, as illustrated by this story,
"In ancient India there lived a certain wise king. One day a pandit (scholar and teacher) who had studied many scriptures and holy books came to the palace and asked to see the king.
"Your Majesty," said he, "I should like it very much if you would permit me to teach you the Bhagavatam, the holy scripture on the life of Sri Krishna. I will not require an unreasonable fee."
Now the king, a good judge of human nature, knew enough of that great book to realize that the pandit, scholar that he was, still had not understood what it says. Otherwise, why would he be coming to a king's palace in search of wealth instead of seeking for the Lord in the depths of his own heart. He said to the pandit: "I perceive that you have not fully mastered the Bhagavatam as yet. I will make you my tutor only when you have learned it well."
As he went on his way the scholar thought to himself, "Why, I've been studying the book over and over all these years. How foolish the king is to say that I have not mastered it!" Yet a seed of doubt had been sown in his mind. He carefully read the book again and again he applied to the king.
This time the king repeated the same thing.Mightily puzzled, the pandit reached home and shut himself in his room. He pored over the holy book day and night, and gradually the truth began to dawn on him. Then he began to see his own vanity and greed for the riches and courts of kings, and also for his own fame. Now he applied himself entirely to the worship of God and never thought once of returning to the king.
After a few years the king became curious and paid a visit to the pandit's house. There he found a changed man, radiant with divine light and love.
The king fell on his knees. "I see," he said, "that you have now realized the true meaning of the Bhagavatam. I am ready to be your disciple if you will teach me."
When will our teachers be ready?
