The not-so-subtle differences amongst education, certification, learning, and creativity.

“Academic grades are permanent but knowledge is temporary, focus on getting grades now, you can always learn later".

That was in 1999 during the final semester of engineering exams, I was diving deep into concepts when my wise college mate infused reality into my thinking.

Thankfully, I am continuing to learn.

Let's discuss the not-so-subtle differences amongst education, certification, and learning. The Industrial Revolution marked a major turning point in the trajectory of education.

Before the Industrial Revolution, education was free form and learning was self-directed by the students underpinned by innate curiosities.

Aryabhata, Galileo, and Newton were all polymaths and Leonardo da Vinci viewed the world around him as one continuous boundary-less canvas filled with wonder and wanted to know everything about everything.

The industrial revolution required the masses to be educated to enable them to work in the factory for 8 hours. Education moved from exploration to certification of skill.

The school system mimicked the factory setting – 8 hours in school confined to a classroom and the bell rings at the start, middle, and end of the day.

The grades reflected the minimum skill level guaranteed by the third party, universities produced products(students) that enabled corporates to produce their products.

The system lifted billions out of the poverty line, but we may be nearing the end. Anything standardized can be automated by machines.

Creativity will be the new currency.

The current education system is not fit for fostering creativity.

Creativity by definition cannot be standardized, it is somewhere in between chaos and order at the intersection of art and science.

During the transition period, you need the skill to pay the bill but indulge in creativity for fulfillment.

Set aside a couple of hours each week with your family to dabble, and indulge in activities not related to the family routine.

Take it easy until next time…

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