All students should be required to study art & music in secondary school

In today’s materialistic world human being has achieved remarkable  progress through science and technology. People have attained success & lead prosperous and wealthy life across the globe.

But, one will not disagree with the fact that along with the advancements, humanisms is evaporating rapidly form this world and inhuman activities are filling the gap.

Terrorism. ISIS activities, attack on schools like in Peshawar, Pakistan and Chechaniya are the extreme example of atrocities.

If hatred, destruction and violence are to be eradicated from this globe; the tender hearts and brains are to be molded towards love, affection, non-violence etc. Implanting humanity and brotherhood among students of adolescence will bring desirable results. Music and art like activities will definitely prove to be a great tools in this regard.

  These subjects are must to be the part of curriculum for the holistic growth of the students since Art and music domains are attributed to soft skills of   an individual. And  these soft skills are embodiment  of not only  manifestation of emotional skills but also requires dexterity and cerebral competence. It’s apparent that a person  creates something though Music and Art.  A creator never is a destructor. A piece of music and   art fill the hearts with pleasure and peace.

When atrocious activities and depravity are replacing the peace and happiness; the need of goodness, love, kind hearted citizens are paramount. The allurement of music and art will steer the mind and soul of the young generation towards compassion, humanity and global serene.

It’s also evident that creative things like music and art help people releasing tension and distress. The exquisites of these sooth  the soul. It calms down the aggression and augments the passiveness qualities. Even doctors too include  music and art in treatment  of mental disorders..

Music and art know no boundaries. Musicians and artists are admired across the globe. So,  to spread the sweet fragrance of art and music everywhere , I strongly advocate the relevance of these as a part of the curriculum.

Music and art also develop the creativity for example Sir CV Raman was not only a great scientist but also a great pianist.  Leonardo was not only a great artist but also a great scientist and pioneer of aircraft.

UNESCO now made it compulsory to have these two as important elements of education and NCF – 2005 of India made these two as integral part of curriculum.

“Not everything that is learnt is contained in books”

                     “Not everything that is learn  is contained in books”. 

It is said that books are the store houses of the learning.  Apparently books are the embodiment of knowledge and the biggest tools to exercise the curriculum and syllabus in the schools, at colleges and in the universities. There are various types of books representing philosophy, Psychology,  Medicines, Technology, Art, Literature etc. They contain the references and experiences of not only of the writers but for the generations. Primitive Civilizations and cultures echo through books. No doubt, the books are the knowledge handed over from one generation to successors. They are the main sources of learning.   

But, it cannot be asserted that everything that is learnt is contained in books. Books give theoretical knowledge but practical experiences provide skills which leads a learner towards the wisdom.

For instance – the method of swimming is described elaborately in the book, but it cannot turn a reader into   a swimmer. To learn the skills in swimming, one has to enter in the pool or river. The actual swimming will be learnt only with practical   privilege.  The other examples may be of driving, cooking, stitching etc. where cerebral and dexterity are to be mastered for the consequences.

Learning by doing,  learning  by   committing  mistakes in life, experiments in the lab, innovation, discoveries  all open the avenues of permanent learning.

  The exposure of the leaners through media, films, travel, hobbies, cultural programs, learning different languages are the other sources of learning  apart from the books. The more you are open to the world, the more you learn.

Apparently, the schools are encouraging the students for the project based learning, activity based learning to compliment & understand the bookish knowledge. When a kid   uses his/her  heart-hand-hobby to understand the book content, her/his learning proceeds towards the wisdom. Eventually wisdom is the ultimate aim of the learning.

An illiterate or a less educated person may also be wise though he has not read any book. Thomas Alva Edition was a lucid example as he had very less formal schooling. But his was a great  inventor.  

Yet, I strongly advocate that the role of the books is paramount in learning. Without books the advancement in the field of science and technology achieved, will not yield fruits. Absence of the books, the studies of paleontology, anthropology, astronomy, history, geography will start     from the scratch; which is not obvious.  

  “Action speak louder than words” So it is also true that along with the books, learning activities, exposure to the social institutions, family ambience, political set up of the country, teacher’s grooming & inspiration- all subsume the learning of a person.