I don't know if this is also true in other parts of the world but one challenge undergraduate education in India faces in my opinion is that many of the students coming in just don't seem to have matured to their stated age.
Students are around 17-18 years old when they take admission in their undergraduate programs. That's basically the stage when one enters adulthood. Accordingly, one would expect to see a certain level of psychological and emotional maturity by this age. I can understand that one could still take a semester or so to transition to college life, living away from home in a dormitory, etc. But one often sees very childish behaviors even till their 2nd (Sophomore), and sometimes 3rd (Junior), years.
One sees a persistence of high school level chitter chatter in classrooms, kiddish attempts at "somehow getting marks" in exams, childish shirking of tasks and deadlines in assignments and projects, etc. that wastes precious time and keeps academic interactions relatively shallow. This delays the setting in of a core professional engagement where faculty members and students can have focused subject discussions at advanced levels.
In addition, while faculty members are certainly open to providing counsel and advice when needed, they are primarily there to impart subject knowledge. I have seen this understanding and clarity getting lost at times and expectations set in that faculty members also be Moms and Dads for students who are now adults. Such an expectation might be alright in primary school. But for 18 year old adults, or their parents, to expect this during college life is just immature. Of course on a residential campus faculty members are always available for any help and provide an overall protective atmosphere. But at the same time, each and every student is expected to conduct himself / herself as a responsible adult. This is often missing.
This needs to change. And I think high school teachers and parents can play a role. After about 10th class, students/sons/daughters ought to be gradually treated more and more like responsible adults - alongside an increased expectation of responsible adult like behavior from them. I think this will help them grow psychologically and emotionally.
PS: There's a difference between being *childlike* and *childish*. Being *childlike* is welcome for your entire life! It indicates an innocence of heart and mind which is quite beautiful! Being *childish*, on the other hand, is just plain immaturity and shirking one's responsibility of growing up into a sensible member of society.
Interesting article!
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