EDUCATION, we are constantly reminded and taught, is the key to success. But what is education? Is education about rotelearning,grades,getting abetterjob,oris it about the ability to explore new ideas and think critically and independently? Is it about preparing children for a specific career or teaching them lifelong values and discipline? Unfortunately, our education system, coupled with parental and peer pressure, discourages students from developing problem-solving and analytical skills.

Instead,the students are encouragedto focus on grades and getting high-paid jobs.

Bothparents and teachersconveythe same message to the children; getting goodgradestakesprecedence over everything else. Relatives and neighbours are no dif ferent. They constantly ask students about their grades and, when the time comes, when they will acquire a decent job.

Another sad aspect is that our education system concentrates more on the insutudons`presuge andreputadonrather than a student`s qualities or capabilities.

Such an environment shif ts students` focus away from actual learning and obtaining any competency in critical thinking to doing whatever it takes to achieve good marks and stand out in the crowd.

When such students pass out and step into the larger world, they find it dif ficult to get jobs despite their illustrious educational background. As a result, they either remain unemployed or don`t get suitable jobs and end up accusing the system of partiality and nepotism.Therefore, instead of judging the students based on their grades in examinations, parents and teachers should focus on building character, values and skills so that the young may attain their real goals.

Rashid Ali Larkana