Marks-wadi education must go: Pralhad Joshi calls for shift from rote learning

Is India's education system too obsessed with marks? Union Education Minister Pralhad Joshi believes it is time for a major shift. Calling the prevailing mindset “marks-wadi”, Joshi has urged schools, students and parents to move beyond rote learning and embrace experiential education.Speaking at the inauguration of the Central Board of Secondary Education's (CBSE) Experience Centre in Dwarka on Tuesday, Joshi said excessive focus on examination scores often comes at the cost of genuine understanding, curiosity and students' individual interests.The minister argued that education should not be limited to memorising textbooks or finding ways to score higher marks. Instead, students must be encouraged to understand concepts, ask questions and apply their knowledge in real-life situations.WHY ROTE LEARNING IS A CONCERNJoshi pointed to the pressure students face to perform well in examinations, saying that both the education system and anxious parents have become increasingly focused on marks. According to the minister, this approach can leave little room for understanding a child's actual abilities, interests and learning capacity. He also linked the emphasis on memorisation and scores to the growing importance of coaching classes.His message was clear: learning should be about understanding a subject, not simply memorising information to reproduce it in an examination.WHAT IS CBSE EXPERIENCE CENTRE The newly inaugurated CBSE Experience Centre aims to bring learning beyond conventional classrooms and textbooks. Spread across 6,000 square feet at the board's integrated complex in Dwarka, the facility features 12 broad zones and 21 exhibits. Image: PIB The centre takes visitors through the evolution of education in India, from traditional learning systems such as the gurukul to modern schools and digital classrooms.It also introduces students to scientific concepts, emerging technologies and career opportunities through interactive experiences. The facility featured several interactive exhibits, including:Shiksha Ki Kahani: A journey through India's educational heritage and the evolution of learning.Interactive geological timeline: An exploration of Earth's history across millions of years.Career Explorer and Future of Professions: Exhibits designed to help students discover career paths and understand changing job markets.Holographic interactions: Experiences featuring eminent personalities such as Dr BR Ambedkar and Dr APJ Abdul Kalam.Eduverse: A multisensory experience spanning natural landscapes, the Himalayas, oceans and even the Moon.The facility also includes interactive activities and RFID-enabled smart cards that allow visitors to engage with exhibits and access personalised takeaways.The initiative, according to the minister, aligns with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, which advocates holistic, competency-based and experiential learning.The broader objective is to help students develop critical thinking, creativity, problem-solving abilities and confidence instead of relying primarily on memorisation.Joshi stressed that scientific concepts should not merely be studied in books. Students should be able to observe, experiment and understand how those concepts work in practice.FROM CLASSROOMS TO CAREERSThe education minister also connected practical learning with India's future workforce needs. He pointed to opportunities in areas such as artificial intelligence and semiconductors, stressing the importance of preparing young people with relevant skills.Referring to Atal Tinkering Labs, Joshi said 10,000 such labs were already operational, with another 50,000 planned, highlighting the government's emphasis on innovation and scientific temper.He also spoke about the growing international demand for skilled Indian workers, underlining the need to prepare students for changing employment opportunities.For parents, the minister's remarks serve as a reminder that marks should not become the sole measure of a child's potential. For schools, the challenge will be to translate the principles of experiential learning into everyday teaching practices.The CBSE Experience Centre represents one effort to make education more interactive and career-oriented. Whether such approaches can bring a wider change in classroom culture will depend on how effectively practical learning is incorporated into the school system.- Ends