My Experience Studying in Scotland and India

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The Astounding Eye Opener

"Having grown up in India and experienced the rigors of our education system, my visit to Scotland was nothing short of an eye-opener. The stark difference between how children are taught in the two countries made me reflect deeply on the essence of learning itself. One particular experience from my time in Scotland stands out vividly in my memory. During a history lesson, the teacher asked us to write a poem inspired by the events we were studying. My brain, wired by years of Indian schooling, immediately started organizing facts and details into my poem. I crammed dates, names, and key moments, thinking that was the way to excel. But when we shared our work with the class, I was stunned! My Scottish classmates, even those who admitted they weren’t great at academics, had created these beautiful, deeply emotional poems. They wrote about the suffering of the people, the human stories behind the facts, and the lessons we could learn from history. Their creativity was astounding. It wasn’t about how much they knew—it was about how they felt and interpreted the story"

 Shamita Jagarlamudi

Stark Difference: Indian and Scottish Education

The Scottish education system offers a refreshing approach, emphasizing critical thinking, emotional intelligence, and self-expression. It encourages students to question, reflect, and articulate their ideas freely, fostering an environment where understanding takes precedence over rote memorization. For someone used to equating knowledge with information, this perspective was both enlightening and inspiring.

India's Commitment to Robust Education

India’s education system, though often critiqued for its emphasis on academic performance and standardized testing, is evolving rapidly. The nation’s diverse and dynamic landscape poses unique challenges, but significant strides are being made to bridge gaps and transform learning. Initiatives like DIKSHA and SWAYAM are revolutionizing access to quality education, even in the remotest corners of the country. These platforms leverage digital technology to provide personalized and interactive learning experiences, equipping students with practical skills and knowledge for the modern world. Moreover, the introduction of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 marks a pivotal shift, focusing on holistic, multidisciplinary learning and reducing the focus on rote methods

In the End...

While the two systems differ, both offer valuable lessons. Scotland’s creativity-driven model and India’s ambitious reforms highlight how education can be a powerful tool for societal progress. Scotland’s education system isn’t perfect, and neither is India’s, but both have lessons to offer. My journey left me inspired to dream of an education system that combines the best of both worlds.

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