American Education vs. Indian Education

Kartik Mistry
Justin Stacy
ENG 111_04
October 16 2013

American Education vs. Indian Education

Each person has his or her own opinion about which educational system is preferable, an Indian education or an American education. Each of these education systems both American as well Indian has its own strengths and weaknesses. Overall, one cannot claim which is more preferable, but still the debate is open for comments. But to speak the truth, the education system responsible for redefining a human being into some talented persona is a good education system. Remarkably, both the American education system as well as Indian education system has managed to do that not just one time, but uncountable times. We have fine examples of great personalities including scientists, journalists, doctors, engineers, and many such professionals who have benefitted by their education system, either American or Indian. So let's leave it for the rest of the world to decide which one is better and preferable?
The education system in the United States is far more advanced and than all the rest of the countries. The education levels are divided into three levels, the elementary school, the middle school and high school. In each of these levels, the children are included as per their age group and divided into grades. This means that once a child starts with the elementary school, he or she goes in the first grade, which keeps going until the twelfth grade, the final year of high school. Once the students finish high school, and then they can enroll for further studies in post-secondary education, commonly referred as college. The elementary school may start somewhere in the age group of five for a child, and the high school would end up in the age group of approximately seventeen. In high school, more emphasis is given to practical understanding, reading, writing, math, understanding concepts, and documentation. Also, high school education is about learning the concept not just by reading but also by actually learning through practical experience. Students are provided with the freedom of choosing class subjects and are encouraged to take interest and responsibilities towards studies. Moreover, Americans schools have small classes. In addition to this, sports, technical education, arts, foreign languages and more such subjects are given equal importance along with the existing curriculum. Extracurricular activities such as drill teams, bands, football or even non-athletic activities such as musical groups, school newspaper and debate teams are encouraged and each and every student is made to participate in an activity apart from the curriculum. Nevertheless, in the United States students don’t respect their teachers like they do in India and teachers in United States have to go for qualified courses, which include their Bachelor or Masters Degree in early Childhood Education and Elementary education. Teachers are been told about what they expected to teach the children.
Although the above system seems to be amazing, even the Indian system manages to fascinate. The current education system in India, which seems to be improvising every single day, has caught everyone's eye including people outside India. The Indian education system has always been inspired from its historical backgrounds which relate way back thousands and thousands year ago, and includes, purana vedas, a historical books about Indian culture. Presently the education system in India is comprised of pre-primary, primary, secondary and senior secondary education, which is followed by higher education. Pre-primary is the kindergarten, primary is the middle school, and secondary is the high school. Higher secondary education is up to twelfth standard and then one can pursue his further studies with graduation or post-graduation level. Specific curriculum is designed for children, which includes all the subjects that have been specified. Additionally, there are extra-curricular activities that children can opt for though not compulsorily. Moreover sports form an essential part of the curriculum, but only children who are selected get to avail the opportunity. Although the curriculum has improved lately, it is more about memorizing than understanding. Also Indian schools have large classes with more than fifty students overall. However, teachers hold great value and respect. They gain as much respect from parents as they do students, and teachers in India are qualified to become teachers as soon as they pass the Masters in Education or Bachelors in Education. In America the Masters and Bachelors degree is definitely equivalent to that of Indian Standards of Education
The education pattern in India is much more traditional where students are expected to learn all the subjects. Less emphasis is given to sports and extracurricular activities. However in American schools, extra-curricular activities also hold equal importance. Education system in United States is considerably more flexible than India education system.