Academics has always been an essential part of human development. It prepares us to survive in the outside world and establish an identity of our own. But is an individual's development restricted to merely academics? In India, from an early age, we have been taught that education is limited to the boundaries of academics only; the idea of getting out into the field, for gaining experience, is always considered a hoax. This has hindered the student's development. But the truth is that education represents a considerably broader field than we know of it. Our teaching, from the basics, has been focused on getting good grades and job offers rather than being creative and unique.
In the 21st century, the pure academic type of education is slowly paving way for a whole new type. The paradigm shift in the whole education system is evident. People have now come to understand that education is a 360 degree activity that should focus on the student's overall development, rather than restricting her/him to the classroom.
Co-curricular activities that take place outside the classroom but reinforce or supplement classroom curriculum, in some way, have become a point of focus today. These activities help in the growth of the child, in more than one way.
Participating in such activities helps youngsters grow mentally, socially and individually. Intellectual development of a student is done in the classroom, but for the aesthetic development, such as team-building, character-building, and physical growth, students must step out into the outside world. For instance, if a student is a part of school football team, he/she will learn teamwork and coordination, in a practical manner, which cannot be taught in the class.
Similarly, in colleges and universities, there is a need for practical exposure so that the student can experience the actual working of an industry. For example, taking a student to a manufacturing firm will give him/her real insight and better learning of the industry. Catering to this change, most professional colleges including B schools have started providing practical exposure to students through regular guest lectures, industrial visits, conferences, seminars, cultural festivals and so on. With industry visits, students are able to better identify their prospective areas of work in the overall organizational function. Moreover, they help enhance interpersonal skills and communication techniques. In addition, guest lectures are equally important for all-round development of students. It is a great way for students to gain maximum exposure as guest speakers talk about their real-life experience and not what is there in the textbooks.
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2(i).
What has not been the focus of education from earlier times?