# The Flawed Education System: A Call for Change

During my time in school, an incident occurred in the 7th grade that left a lasting impression on me. It was the day when our English teacher decided to showcase our answer papers to the entire class while announcing the exam results. As fate would have it, my paper was chosen, but what followed was far from expected. My teacher called me up to the stage and proceeded to beat me on my back with a large stick, repeatedly striking me around 7 to 10 times until the stick broke. The reason? My answers were based on 'my' understanding of the subject but not exactly matching with the ones given in textbook, and most importantly my handwriting was deemed very bad.

This incident raises an important question: how relevant are textbook knowldge and handwriting in the grand scheme of education to warrant such punishment? There are two fundamental issues at play here, which shed light on the flaws within our education system.

Firstly, there is the issue of punishing students for skills that are becoming obsolete. The traditional school system has always placed a high value on memorization, given that information was predominantly sourced from human knowledge. However, in today's digital age, information is readily available at our fingertips through the vast expanse of the internet. This shift necessitates a change in priorities. What holds greater importance now is the development of analytical thinking and problem-solving abilities. Instead of mindlessly memorizing information, students should be encouraged to analyze and synthesize knowledge, preparing them for the challenges of the modern world.

The second issue lies in the approach of instilling fear as a means of teaching. Learning through punishment inhibits true enjoyment of the process. When fear is the driving force behind education, it diminishes the intrinsic motivation to learn and stifles creativity. Learning should be a journey filled with curiosity, wonder, and love for acquiring knowledge. When approached with passion and enthusiasm, education becomes an empowering experience, fostering self-confidence and personal growth.

Learning out of fear leads to self-doubt, while learning out of love instills confidence. It is essential to create an environment that nurtures a love for learning, where students are encouraged to explore their interests and develop a deep understanding of subjects that inspire them. By fostering a sense of joy and curiosity, education can become a transformative force, empowering students to unlock their full potential.

In conclusion, our education system is in dire need of reform. We must prioritize teaching skills that are relevant in today's information-rich era, focusing on analytical thinking and problem-solving rather than rote memorization. Additionally, it is crucial to abandon the archaic practice of teaching through fear and punishment, replacing it with an approach that fosters love for learning. By embracing these changes, we can create an educational environment that prepares students to thrive in a rapidly evolving world and instills a lifelong passion for knowledge.