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| Let’s get back to basics | | | Sudhir Anand
The term ‘Education’ originates from the Latin word ‘educare,’ meaning to draw out or bring forth what already exists as potential. The history of education dates back centuries and is fundamentally centered on literacy, with reading and writing being the foundation of learning. As an age-old concept, education has played a crucial role in human evolution and is regarded as a powerful tool for progress. Beyond literacy, education encompasses the acquisition of essential skills across various domains, which can be gained through both formal classrooms learning and real-life experiences. Formal education, typically provided in classrooms, is an integral part of society and facilitates the dissemination of knowledge. One of the most significant aspects of education is its transformative impact on individuals. It broadens perspectives, shapes thoughts and influences behavior, contributing not only to personal growth and success but also to societal development. Additionally, education nurture personality, enhances interpersonal skills and prepares individuals for life’s challenges. Moreover, it plays a vital role in equipping people with professional skills increasing employability and fostering overall human development. Classroom teaching provides a structured learning environment with direct teacher-student interaction, ensuring immediate doubt resolution and personalized attention. They minimize distractions, promote discipline and foster peer learning, which enhances understanding through discussions and healthy competition. Practical subjects benefit from hands-on lab experience, while face-to-face teaching improves focus, retention and communication skills. Regular assessments in a realistic setting help students adapt to exam conditions, making offline learning more effective for academic excellence.
In an era dominated by screens, Sweden has taken a bold step by shifting its education policy back to traditional learning methods—prioritizing textbooks, handwriting and deep reading comprehension. This “back to basics” approach aims to strengthen students’ foundational skills, enhance critical thinking and reduce distractions caused by digital devices. Instead of relying on PDFs and online study materials, Sweden is encouraging the use of printed notes, which not only improve retention but also reduce eye strain, mental fatigue and the health risks associated with prolonged screen exposure.
In 2009, Sweden chose to replace books with computers. 15 years later, it allocates 104 million euros to reverse course. Sweden is investing Rs 104 million to bring back printed textbooks, highlighting growing concerns over digital learning’s toll on student focus and skills.
In a world where tech seems to run the show, Sweden’s education system is hitting the brakes on its all-digital approach. They’re bringing printed textbooks back into classrooms, marking a huge shift in how they think about teaching and learning. This change highlights worries about how digital tools might be affecting students’ learning and growth.Back in 2009, Sweden jumped headfirst into modernizing its schools by swapping out old-school textbooks for computers and other digital gear. The idea was to get students ready for a tech-driven world. The Swedish government figured that using computers and tablets would make learning more fun and easy to access. Gradually, paper textbooks disappeared because digital versions seemed cheaper and more adaptable for the future.The goal was crystal clear: arm students with the skills they’d need in a high-tech age. But as time went on, it became clear that this switch wasn’t without its hiccups. Fast forward fifteen years, and Sweden is having second thoughts due to some major problems cropping up. Research shows that reading on screens (especially those with bright lights) can cause more eye strain and less focus compared to paper books. Plus, understanding what you read and remembering it takes a hit when you’re staring at screens.
One big gripe has been how distracting digital devices can be. Lots of students get sidetracked by games or surfing the web during class instead of sticking to their studies. This screen obsession also raises flags about social skills and attention spans in school settings. Parents and teachers are pretty vocal about these issues; many parents worry about their kids using computers for things other than learning.Money talks: Investing in old-school methods.
To tackle these problems, Sweden’s putting 104 million eurosinto bringing books back into classrooms from2022 to 2025. That’s a hefty chunk of change aimed at making sure every student eventually gets a paper textbook for each subject. The money will also go towards campaigns helping schools switch back to traditional ways of learning. This isn’t about ditching digital tools altogether but rather finding a sweet spot where tech supports basic learning techniques instead of taking over completely. Swedish officials have noticed a drop in key skills like reading and writing among students— mainly because they’ve been glued to screens since they were little kids. The government now sees this as a misstep—ditching traditional methods too quickly without thinking about long-term consequences.
Bringing back books doesn’t mean they’re throwing tech out the window; it just means they’ll use digital tools more wisely from now on. They’re still great for mixing up teaching styles or getting online resources but will be used sparingly moving forward. Beyond academics, this policy highlights the importance of personal interactions. Face-to-face learning, wher students engage with teachers directly, fosters deeper understanding, curiosity and emotional connection— something live online classes often lack. The warmth of a teacher’s encouragement, the pat on the back for a job well done and the ability to ask spontaneous questions in a classroom setting play a vital role in a student’s growth. Parental involvement is equally crucial, as frequent interactions between teachers and parents help track students’ progress, address concerns and provide a more supportive learning environment. Moreover, Sweden’s approach extends beyond books to holistic well-being. Excessive screen time not only hampers eyesight but also affects attention span, sleep quality and overall mental health. Instead of being confined to digital games and social media, students must be encouraged to engage in physical activities—playing on the ground, participating in sports and interacting with friends in real life. Outdoor play builds teamwork, resilience, and emotional intelligence, contributing to a healthier and happier lifestyle.
Sweden is known for its student-centric, research-oriented and skill-based education system, which aligns with India’s efforts to modernize education under the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020. Several Indian students pursue higher education in Swedish universities, particularly in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics, benefiting from Sweden’s focus on innovation, sustainability and technology-driven learning. Additionally, India and Sweden collaborate in research and higher education through partnerships between institutions like IITs, IISc and Swedish universities. Programs like the India-Sweden Innovation Partnership and scholarship initiatives promote academic exchange and joint research projects. Sweden’s emphasis on vocational education and skill development also provides valuable insights for India’s Skill India Mission, aiming to bridge the industry-academia gap. We in India must also come forward to encourage students to adopt the traditional learning practices. Schools, teachers and parents must collectively take steps to motivate students to use textbooks and handwritten notes rather than relying on digital screens. The authorities should also implement measures to reduce excessive gadget usage in schools and promote interactive, real-world learning experiences. As students in our country strive for excellence, let’s recognize the importance of a balanced education system that values knowledge, human connection and overall well-being. By embracing focused learning, meaningful interactions and active lifestyles, we can create not just academically successful individuals but also healthier, happier and better-rounded citizens! |
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