Page 110 - EW April 2023

Teacher-2-Teacher

New liberal education

imperative

SANJAY PADODE

HE INDUSTRIAL AGE WAS DOMINATED BY Liberal arts students learn to use imagi-
concepts of division of labour and specialisation.
This was the most efficient strategy for achieving nation, experiences and sensitivity to
Tscale and efficiency in the production of goods and create new knowledge, learn to em-
services. The work environment was hierarchical and driv-
en by working in shifts in which cooperation between dif- pathise to understand human sensitivi-
ferent sets of human resources played a critical role. It was ties, and learn for the joy of learning
always about a few humans leading many and instructions
from the top played a key role in driving the workforce.
Managers were trained by the education system to mas-
ter the art of giving instructions, and the workforce was as societies continued to democratise. Since their genesis
trained to follow instructions and execute. Innovation and Asian and African societies had been quite liberal in their
development of products were the function of research and way of life, but their liberal sense was distorted by westerni-
development, constraining the human mind to concentrate sation during the colonisation era. Here the context of ‘lib-
on project completion. eral’ is education whose beneficiary is the learner. Liberal
With the advent of the information age, hierarchies were education empowers learners to choose subjects across dis-
flattened and a lot of work done previously by humans be- ciplines and curate learning pathways best suited for them.
gan to be done by machines. Human resources were devel- While streamed science and technology education
oped to instruct machines that have no cognitive capabili- emerged as prime choice of aspirants in education, study of
ties but can perform repetitive tasks efficiently. This fuelled the liberal arts and humanities continued to remain popular
the growth of STEM (science, technology, engineering as they enabled freedom of expression and ease of com-
and math) education. Capability to understand the use of munication. Those aspiring to pursue these subjects were
machines coupled with knowledge to design systems and better able to understand the broader context in which so-
machines for efficient work delivery became necessary for cieties progressed and developed. Liberal arts students are
successful project execution. more enabled to think for themselves, learn to use imagina-
In turn, education systems evolved to deliver just that. tion, experiences and sensitivity to create new knowledge,
Ideation and imagination was confined to the creative arts. learn to empathise to understand human sensitivities, and
Education systems and curricula evolved to apply scientific learn for the joy of learning.
principles of quantification and measurement in every field he world has now progressed far beyond machines led
and, the theory of knowledge took a back seat. Tby linear instructions, to machines that can think and
However, standardisation and globalisation became om- display human capabilities. Artificial intelligence coupled
nipresent and with the advent of the Internet the knowledge with machine learning algorithms is fast replacing skilled
required to produce goods and services became easily ac- humans in workplaces around the world. These changing
cessible. The arbitrage in cost of living worldwide led to times tending towards singularity have generated the de-
offshoring of work. These opportunities became available mand for professionals who can empathise humanely, think
to all making the world a more competitive place. The new and imagine freely, execute entrepreneurially, ideate and
efficiencies added to the prosperity of the world but intro- innovate to take on new challenges and opportunities.
duced volatility, uncertainty, complexity and ambiguity in In these changing circumstances, the panacea seems
the workplace. Technologies started to evolve rapidly, and to be ‘liberal education’ which enables learners to make
markets became more dynamic. choices and curate customised learning pathways. This
Differentiating products and services started to emerge will surely challenge educators to innovate credentials that
as a challenge. All this change suddenly created a huge gap are appropriate and acceptable to the contemporary world.
between education outcomes focussed on development of However with imagination and ideation, these challenges
the left brain, and the emerging right brain needs of society. will be overcome.
Critical thinking and problem-solving gained prominence Liberal education will allow learners to mix humanities,
in education. ‘Innovate or die’ emerged as the new mantra law, management, art, science and technology blending
for survival. Legacy education systems designed to develop knowledge, developing curiosity, firing up imaginations,
instruction followers began to feel the heat, and evolution and developing solutions needed in the 21st century. In-
of education became inevitable. deed it will become the dominating factor in determining
The word ‘liberal’ has many connotations and is better employability and success in workplaces.
understood in the Western context. Liberation from laws,
customs, and strict norms of society through protests and (Sanjay Padode is president of Vijaybhoomi University, Karjat,
agitations, defying set norms started to become a way of life Maharashtra)

110 EDUCATIONWORLD APRIL 2023