Page 88 - EW November 2024

ANNIVERSARY ESSAY

How India's schools compare

with best in the West

RAYMOND RAVAGLIA

HEN COMPARING SCHOOLS ACROSS in- While the best Western schools may not
ternational borders, the biggest challenge is
choosing appropriate metrics for compari- always match the academic rigour of In-
Wson. Depending on the analyst, one could dia's best schools, they outpace them in
focus on any number of inputs: the physical infrastructure
of a school, labs and available resources, qualifications of stimulating creativity, critical thinking
teachers, the curriculum and opportunities provided to and well-rounded student profiles
students to pursue their passions. The problem with input
metrics is that while they may shape the experience of stu-
dents, the ultimate measure of the quality of a school is the in team-based projects, develop leadership skills, and ex-
quality of its alumni. plore diverse interests through extracurricular activities.
After all, the goal of high school is not to provide a retreat These experiences nurture collaboration, communication,
from the world but to prepare students for future success. and problem-solving capabilities — invaluable skills in con-
This means not only helping them find suitable college temporary job markets worldwide.
placements but also providing them the skills to succeed Introducing more project-based learning within the cur-
once they arrive at college. Moreover, it means laying a riculum helps students apply their knowledge in real-world
foundation for long-term success in their careers and life. contexts. For example, group projects that involve collabor-
The strength of Indian high schools is academic ative problem-solving, like designing solutions to local com-
rigour. One area where the best schools of India shine munity challenges or engaging in social entrepreneurship,
compared to the best of the rest, is academic rigour, particu- enable students to develop creativity and resourcefulness.
larly in foundational subjects such as mathematics, science, These life skills are particularly valuable as students tran-
and analytical reasoning. Indian students from the best sition from structured school environments to more inde-
schools consistently excel in domestic and international pendent university settings and, eventually, the workplace.
standardised tests. It’s common to find students from India The biggest obstacle is board exams. Leading interna-
ranked among the highest scorers in international competi- tional schools have the upper hand in not having to conform
tions, math olympiads and science fairs, a testament to the to external exams. The single most destructive element of
rigorous training in the country’s top schools. Indian education is unwarranted emphasis placed on board
The curriculum standards set by national boards such exams. Cramming for exams is not the optimal way to learn,
as the Central Board of Secondary Education, Council for especially to learn to think creatively. Moreover, incessant
Indian School Certificate Examinations and offshore exam measuring does not itself lead to improvement and may
boards such as the International Baccalaureate and Cam- constrain focus to only on “what will be in the exam”.
bridge International — programs offered in many of India’s Students need time and space to think beyond the nar-
elite schools, further entrench this rigour, requiring stu- row confines of the curriculum and opportunities to chal-
dents to develop deep mastery of complex subjects. These lenge themselves outside of school. Activities like university
curricula often demand a level of specialisation and disci- courses or internships are often catalysts that direct a stu-
pline not always present in western high schools, where cur- dent towards a particular career path. Providing space for
ricula such as Advanced Placement are frequently criticised self-driven learning is essential for preparing students for
for being a mile wide and an inch deep. success in college. In high school, with courses fully pre-
Moreover, the culture of high academic standards in In- scribed, students seldom have to make difficult decisions
dia’s best schools fosters a unique resilience and commit- about allocating their time. In university, with many more
ment among students. Students with high expectations and options available, students, especially those good at extra-
intense workloads develop the discipline and work ethic to curricular activities, will need to make such decisions. It is
handle academic and real-world challenges. essential that high schools prepare them to do so.
The weakness is holistic dimension. While even By balancing academic rigour with opportunities for ho-
the best Western schools may not always match the aca- listic development, India’s best schools can enhance their
demic rigour of India’s best schools, they outpace Indian students’ capability to compete globally. This approach
schools in stimulating creativity, critical thinking, and does not mean sacrificing high standards in core subjects,
well-rounded student profiles. As the world becomes in- but augmenting the learning experience by equipping stu-
creasingly interconnected and dynamic, success requires dents with the hard skills they need and adaptation qualities
more than mastery of core subjects. To ensure that students that will serve them throughout their lives.
are competitive globally, Indian schools must encourage
skills development that extends beyond academics. In the (Dr. Raymond Ravaglia is former dean of pre-collegiate studies at Stanford
best Western schools, students are encouraged to engage University and currently co-founder of AccessUSA)

88 EDUCATIONWORLD NOVEMBER 2024