30% of college kids cannot boil an egg; 52% of kids don't know how to change a tyre; 70% of school goers cannot sew a button; there are 36% fewer students who opt for home science classes* - Is it time to bring back basic life skills classes? Teachers, principals, celebrities and parents say YES!
"Instead of the usual surprise Maths test for my grade 4 students, I decided to take them to a canteen and test their "buying skills". Forget about getting the correct change back, most of the students failed to make a coherent order. They were given wrong meals which they accepted gladly," said Reena Biswal, class teacher, DPS International school in Delhi. There are many others who said students failed the basic like skill test by a huge margin.
It is not a problem plaguing India alone; more than half of the students in a global study failed this test miserably too. "Home science has lost its importance in schools and the repercussion is for us all to see," said Hema Sadana, a teacher from Shiv Nadar School. She suggests that the subject be brought back and given its due importance. "In fact there should be more weight age on HS rather than other subjects such as Maths, History and Civics. Home Science should be treated like a finishing school," she adds.
Is The Curriculum To Blame?
1300 schools, especially in tier 2 cities in India, removed Home Science as a compulsory subject over the last few years. Was it a welcome move? "It is not the best foot forward. If we want well rounded students, they have to be taught basic skills in right doses," said Biswal, arguing that the society should lose the stigma behind Home Science being the subject for "girls".
Celebrities Say Let Us Bring BE (Basic Education) Back
It is a shame that our toppers don't know how to prepare tea. My daughter struggles to tie her shoe laces although she was a gold medalist! These should be focus areas at schools. Our system should encourage Basic Education over anything else.
Mahesh Bhatt, filmmaker
Our schools only want to make us popular but they forget to teach us how to be humans first. There is a need for a period on life skills. At the age of 7 students should be taught to fix small problems in their homes. At 13, they should know how to change a tyre too.
Randeep Hooda, actor
Adulting classes A Must: Parents
I am ready to teach my children to be independent, but the school needs to complement this teaching. My wards spend most of their time in school, hence adulting lessons must begin from schools. Why can't we have a full period on etiquette?
Aparna Verma, parent, New Delhi
Adulting classes such as a sewing, cold cooking and wireless fitments should be made compulsory. These are things they will learn and use practically so more weight age should be given to these life hacks.
Ritu Agarwal, parent, Noida
Students Speak
Adulting subjects should be the core of any syllabus. What's the use of good grades when you don't know how to sustain yourself in any situation?
Ritika Arora, class X, Vishwa Bharti Public School
I don't think adulting classes like 'how to fix a bulb' can be made a part of the syllabus. But schools should have smart summer courses to teach students life hacks. This is important too and cannot be ignored.
Hema Dutta, class XII, Blue Bells School
Like physical activity is essential, so is adulting classes. It will also go a long way to bridge the gender divide where boys are taught (i don't agree) that they are not meant to enter the kitchen, nor should they mop the floor.
Ritvik Dhaneja, class VIII
Do You Think We Need To Bring Life Skills Classes Back To Schools? Isn't That More Important Than Scoring Grades In Subjects