Prescribed Thinking: The suffocation of student creativity in India

Has the Indian education system become a factory, churning out obedient employees, and not visionary employers? In a system where memorization is the status quo and independent thinking is discouraged, creativity is the first casualty. Indian education systems are actively nurturing a generation trained to exhaust themselves over an everchanging standard and mold of society that they can perhaps never fit. 

Creativity may be described as creating something new and inspiring, from nothing. But, how might students have the freedom to create when all that's forced upon them is rigid curriculums where knowledge is taught as an ultimatum or a fixed truth rather than something up for interpretation and innovation. 

Creativity, by its very nature, is subtle and often hard to measure. Unlike other measures of intelligence, such as problem solving speed or academic excellence, creativity doesn’t always leave an immediate or obvious impression. A creative student may not conform to the typical image of a "gifted" child who excels in traditional metrics like rapid problem solving or quick responses in class. In fact, in countries like India where conformity is nurtured and autonomy is shamed, students who challenge norms or explore unconventional ideas may even be misunderstood, their creativity mistaken for distraction or defiance. (Why? Because the system values adherence over the courage to question it) Students don’t always “fit the mold” of the high achieving, textbook definition gifted student. As a result, their potential remains unnoticed or underappreciated in a system that equates giftedness with easily identifiable traits like speed and precision. This means that creativity is hard to recognize and can be easily misunderstood in India. 

This systematic misunderstanding of creativity's value raises a crucial question about cause and effect in Indian education. When creative thinking is consistently overlooked or discouraged, it becomes increasingly difficult to determine whether the system shaped student behavior or student behavior shaped the system. This brings us to a critical paradox- the "chicken or the egg problem". Do Indian students lack creativity because of the education system or does the education system exist as it does because over the years students have started to lack creativity? On one hand, we may consider how the Indian education board and system stifle creativity through a rigid exam-oriented approach to learning where knowing the right answer is prioritized over a genuine understanding of concepts, leaving little room for exploration, experimentation, and questioning. In an environment where creativity is not nurtured, it naturally diminishes or hides away. On the other hand, the system is designed to align with societal expectations and cultural needs. In India, job stability and earnings are valued, so creativity may only be viewed as a luxury.

In conclusion, creativity isn't absent, it's dormant. Its suppressed. 

How can we combat this? The solution is quite simple: Just give students more opportunities while simultaneously getting rid of the "ratta" system. Take away the fear of examinations and scoring by changing grading strategies, accepting more creative answers, and encouraging inquisitiveness in classrooms rather than shutting it down. We need to create an environment where students feel free to explore ideas, take risks, and think critically without the fear of penalisation for thinking outside the box. It’s about shifting from a culture that values conformity to one that celebrates curiosity and innovation. 

But obviously, it’s easier said than done, because the question remains: Are we ready to embrace this change and let students become more than just the sum of their grades? Are we evolved enough to move past decades of traditions followed in the Indian education system? The sad truth is, probably not. The road to reform is long, and the deeply ingrained habits and societal pressures tied to academic success are not easily undone. But that doesn’t mean it's too late.