This is a very interesting article to read. The link is as follow:
http://www.pakalumni.com/profiles/blogs/do-pakistani-students-lack
In pakistan, students are excelling in different fields of education and related technology. However, do we still stand up equal to the other students all around the world? Whta is that we lack when it comes to critical thinking. This article by Riaz Haq fascinated me. . .hence sharing it here.
Nice, very nice find, Nida.
ReplyDeleteI think all students should read this, perhaps even share it with their parents & folks who significantly impact their education.
Our own situtaion is not terribly different.But I would like to stress that the Professor missed otu two things. One: most Pakistani teachers themselves need to learn critical thinkign & apply it in the teaching of their subjects, & in their own lives. Second: of the few who are qualified to teach CT, most don't do it becasue the remuneration is weak, or the schools & universities don't prioritize CT, or these teachers are not experienced enough. Third: students are lazy, & don't take personal responsibility & accountability for their education; they seem to see it as a necessary chore. Wityhin that theys ee CT as a nice, faddish thing to add to their CVs.
Regards,
Faheem
Regards,
Faheem
I think students are actually taught |NO|T ot think critically in most parts of our typical education. If one looks at the Board of Education of Pakistan and this whole 'ratafication' phenomenon, it actually cinditions students to NOT think, which is very sad.
ReplyDeleteI totallly agree with you sir, however, as the observant mentioned here that our local ewducation board stresses on cramping the syllabus, we are yet to follow the cambridge system, which is increasingly gaining popularity and it involves use of critical thinking in solving structured questions and exam paper M.C.Q.S.
ReplyDeleteIn addition to all that is mentioned in the article and these posts, I would like to add that the problem also lies in the goal aims of individual courses that we take, of our education system as a whole and also of us students. As little children, the importance of education is stressed upon us. But solely for the purpose of getting a job, having a car, buying a house and settling down as a family. This is what education means to the average pakistani. And it is with this mindset and purpose that the average pakistani kid attends school. We do not study for the purpose of truely knowing and understanding our subject and its application in our life but for gaining marks in an examination. Unfortunately in our eduacation system, examinations do not really test deep understanding of a subject by the student or its critical application. Students do not even bother to research on their subjects or find out more about it and instead just rely on their teachers notes which guarantee them the scores they want. Education in pakistan is related to high grades and getting a good job. Maybe this can be attributed to the high competitiveness in our country for securing employment, owing to the economic conditions, but this certainly is a factor that prevents students from broadening their mind, understanding abstract concepts and the critical analysis and application of their subjects.
ReplyDeleteSo far Pakistan is concerned CT is something very new in Pakistan. though internationally it is taught in universities and school but probably Pakistani's are far more intelligent than the rest of the world
ReplyDeleteI totally agree with observant that the primary problem in our education system is that critical thinking skills are not taught. Rather, what is considered learning today is actually memorization. Students have no understanding about the underlying logic. In history students are taught to memorize dates, in geography they memorize countries, in science they memorize formulas, and in English they memorize spelling and grammar rules. In each case, students are equipped with the ability to answer questions on a test, but not to apply what they have learned to other related situations. In addition, memorization is temporary and quickly forgotten following a test, whereas understanding is permanent. Our current system proverbially gives students fish (that is facts, information, and knowledge), but does not teach them how to fish, so that they can eat (or learn) for a lifetime.
ReplyDeletegood thought...
ReplyDeletei guess critical thinking is a new subject in a society like pakistan. its getting popular among the students of different universities, and as sir mentioned, before teacher could tell students what critical thinking. they should study the subject themselves.