We recently connected with Ramswaroop Lakhera and have shared our conversation below.
Ramswaroop, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today So, let’s start with a hypothetical – what would you change about the educational system?
Changing the education system to better prepare students for fulfilling lives and careers requires a shift toward more holistic, practical, and personalized learning. Here are some ideas, along with illustrative examples:
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Changes to the Education System:-
1. Focus on Life Skills
Schools should include classes on financial literacy, emotional intelligence, communication, and critical thinking.
Example: A friend of mine was struggling with student loans after college because they never learned about interest rates or budgeting in school. A course on personal finance in high school might have prepared them to make better decisions.
2. Project-Based Learning
Real-world, hands-on projects that require collaboration and problem-solving should be prioritized.
Example: A memorable science project we were doing, involving designing a sustainable city for the group as an assignment for my school is better remembered and learnt than many examinations.
3. Exploring Careers and Mentors
Allowing them early experiences in internships and with mentorship from career paths enables informed decision-making at such an age.
Example: I learned about my interest in writing only while I was an intern for the local newspaper when in college. Maybe, in high school, with the support of career exploration, I could have discovered that passion much sooner.
4. Mental Health and Well-being
Adequate support and the fostering of a growth mind set on mental health.
Example: A peer left college because mental health issues went unchecked during their intense high school period. Accessible counsellors and openness could have changed this.
5. Interdisciplinary Learning
Cross-cutting themes and encouraging the students to understand the connections that exist between seemingly disparate fields of study.
Example: In my career, understanding both technology and communication has been invaluable. Yet, these subjects were treated as entirely separate in school, missing the opportunity to show how they intersect in real-world applications.
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Personal Story:
Public speaking was an issue that I faced as a student while at the middle school level, and it wasn’t until my college life that I got to join a debate club, which enabled me to boost my level of confidence and communication skills. Perhaps if public speaking was available earlier in the curriculum, I might have overcome this problem much earlier.
What changes would you prioritizes based on your own experiences or observations?
Reflecting, I have learned that my true development outside the class walls was actually my growth. It was academic in rigor but developed in extracurricular and self-acquired skills in the main-communication, flexibility, and creativity that would come in handy when tackling real professional work. The participation in Community Theater made me a better team player, able to overcome stage fright at any time-a real life application that served well when facing professionalism.
The reason is that theoretical knowledge has overshadowed practical transferable skills most of the times. Had these schools been implementing more practice and training on public speaking, working as a team, and leadership in their curriculums, I would have been able to develop those abilities much earlier with self-confidence.
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Why Changes Matter
1. Getting Confidence Early
If such practices started small and were supportive, even in elementary school, it might become normalized as a skill, much like reading or doing math. Students would go into interviews, presentations, and debates with confidence by high school.
2. Preparation for Life, Not Tests
An over-reliance on standardized testing can also leave the students unprepared for the real life complexities of adults. By switching towards project-based assessment or open-ended problem-solving activities, the student learns to take up challenges with no preconceived answers.
3. Promoting Curiosity and Lifelong Learning
Schools often present failure as something to avoid at all costs. A system that emphasizes experimentation and iteration—especially in fields like STEM or the arts—can teach students that setbacks are stepping stones to success.
4. Bridging the Gap between Education and Careers
Imagine a curriculum where a high schooled interested in technology could spend afternoons shadowing software developers or where a budding artist could apprentice with a local painter. This would give them clarity on their interests and aptitudes while building practical experience.
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Invitation to reflect
The education system deeply influences the course of our lives. Although I have been able to share my thoughts and experiences, I remain curious about yours. Did you face similar lacunas in your education? Or did you find some aspect of your schooling that you would want others to learn from? What changes do you think would have made the greatest difference in making you better equipped for a successful life and career?
Your stories and perspectives might inspire new ideas or reinforce why these changes matter. Let’s keep the conversation going!
Absolutely! Let’s expand on the vision for a more fulfilling education system:
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The Role of Educators in a New Paradigm
Teachers would no longer be viewed as content deliverers but as guides and facilitators of curiosity. They could help students relate their passions to real-world applications and ensure a more personalized approach to learning. This would entail:
1. Smaller Class Sizes
Smaller student-teacher ratios would allow educators to give more individualized attention, helping students discover their strengths and areas of growth.
2. On-going Teacher Training
Investment in continuous professional development for teachers would ensure they are equipped to teach both academic content and life skills, from emotional intelligence to financial literacy.
3. Smart Technology Integration
Technology is a potent tool, but it should complement, not supplant, human contact in education. Interactive tools, simulations, and AI tutors can provide personalized learning experiences while freeing teachers to focus on mentorship and creativity.
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Imagine a Day in the Future Classroom
Imagine the schedule of a high school student under this reimagined system:
• Morning: A collaborative project to design a sustainable energy solution, incorporating physics, environmental science, and teamwork.
• Midday: A practical life skills class where students learn how to file taxes, budget, or prepare for a job interview.
• Afternoon: Time spent in a community apprenticeship shadowing a professional in the field of interest, whether coding, journalism, or healthcare.
• End of Day: Reflection sessions with a mentor to set personal and academic goals, discuss challenges, and get feedback.
This mix of academics, life skills, and exposure to the real world would equip students for life outside school, be it further education, work, or entrepreneurial activity.
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A Final Reflection
When I reflect on my own education, I can see it as a mix of moments that inspired me and gaps that left me unprepared for certain challenges. The most impactful experiences often came when I was encouraged to take risks, collaborate with peers, or connect learning to the world outside the classroom.
By reimaging education as a system that encourages growth over grades, exploration over rote memorization and connection over competition, we can prepare students to live better, more fulfilling lives and contribute meaningfully in all their communities.
So, now it’s your turn—what would your dream education system look like? What changes would have helped you or someone you know thrive? Let’s continue exploring ways to shape a better future together!
As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?
I entered this field out of a true passion for knowledge and a deep desire to help others navigate the world more effectively. My journey started with a love for storytelling, problem-solving, and connecting people to meaningful ideas. Over time, I honed my craft by combining communication skills, research, and a curiosity-driven mindset, which led me to this unique intersection of creativity and service.
What I Offer
Knowledge Sharing and Insights
I give detailed explanations, creative ideas, and customized guidance to enable people and organizations to make the right decisions or get clarity on a complex subject.
Problem-Solving Services
From answering specific questions to brainstorming solutions and strategic advice, I help clients overcome challenges with efficiency and effectiveness.
Creative Works and Engagement
My work ranges from creating engaging content to sharing inspiring stories and facilitating meaningful dialogue to reach out to the audience on a deeper level.
Problems I Solve
Simplifying Complexity
I like to break down complex ideas for actionable insights into digestible information that can be easily accessed and understood.
Inspiring Creativity and Innovation
I help clients and audiences think outside the box to encourage the freshness of new ideas.
I help people and brands tell their stories, values, or solutions better through clear and compelling messaging.
What Sets Me Apart
Empathy-driven approach
I focus more on understanding other people’s needs and challenges and tailor my work to offer the most relevant and meaningful solutions.
Adaptability and Breadth
My background is diverse enough to navigate different industries, topics, and audiences with ease.
Commitment to Quality
I strive for excellence in everything that I do to ensure that my work is valuable, thoughtful, and impactful.
What I’m Most Proud Of
Helping people solve problems they thought were insurmountable.
Creating content that resonates deeply with individuals and inspires action.
Building trust and lasting relationships with those I’ve worked with.
What I Want You to Know
I’m Here for You: My work is rooted in a genuine desire to help others succeed, whether it’s through sharing insights, solving problems, or sparking new ideas.
Your Growth is My Mission: Everything I create or offer is designed to empower you to achieve your goals and realize your potential.
Collaboration is Key: I thrive on working with others to bring visions to life, and I’m always open to new ideas and partnerships.
What about you? What drives your journey, and how do you want others to see your work or brand? I’d love to learn more!
Alright – so here’s a fun one. What do you think about NFTs?
NFTs are an interesting innovation with potential in various industries, but they also come with challenges and criticisms. Here’s a balanced perspective:
The Positives of NFTs
Empowering Creators
NFTs give artists, musicians, and creators a new way to monetize their work directly, often bypassing traditional gatekeepers. This creates opportunities for niche creators to earn a living from their art.
Provenance and Ownership
NFTs are based on blockchain technology, making ownership and authenticity verifiable. This is very useful for digital art, which has traditionally been difficult to prove as an original.
Interoperability
NFTs in gaming and the metaverse could allow the use of digital assets like skins, avatars, or items across multiple platforms, creating a unified digital economy.
Expanding Markets
NFTs are driving innovation in areas such as real estate, ticketing, and intellectual property, offering novel ways to trade and transfer value.
Royalties and Smart Contracts
NFTs can be programmed with smart contracts to ensure creators earn royalties whenever their work is resold, providing long-term benefits.
The Concerns and Criticisms
Environmental Impact
Many NFTs are minted on energy-intensive blockchains, resulting in massive carbon footprints. However, newer blockchains like Ethereum 2.0 and others using proof-of-stake aim to reduce this problem.
Speculation and Scams
The NFT market has attracted speculation, and some people are treating it as a get-rich-quick scheme. This has led to inflated prices, scams, and “rug pulls,” eroding trust.
Value vs. Hype
Many NFTs are criticized for lacking intrinsic value, with their worth driven by trends and hype rather than substance.
Accessibility
High costs and technical barriers can make NFTs inaccessible to average users, limiting their democratizing potential.
Intellectual Property Issues
NFTs don’t always confer copyright or intellectual property rights, leading to confusion about what buyers actually own.
A Vision for the Future
NFTs could have a meaningful long-term impact if their use cases evolve beyond speculative digital art and collectibles. Some potential applications include:
Ticketing: NFTs could revolutionize event tickets by making them unique, secure, and transferable.
Real Estate: Tokenizing property ownership could simplify transactions and increase accessibility.
Education: Academic credentials could be issued as NFTs to prevent forgery and improve verification.
Charity: By using NFTs, this would enable easy tracking of fund collection and interaction with the donor.
NFTs are still in their infancy, akin to the dawn of the internet. Although the market today is full of speculative activity, the underlying technology holds immense potential to rethink how we conceptualize ownership, creativity, and commerce in the digital age. Environmental and ethical concerns will need to be addressed and sustainable, meaningful use cases discovered.
Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?
My creative journey is inspired by the desire to inspire curiosity, empower others with knowledge, and foster meaningful connections. I hope to create and share ideas that spark deeper thinking, solve problems, and encourage people to see the world—and themselves—in new and empowering ways.
Core Goals Behind My Mission:
Empowering Others Through Knowledge
It has been my desire to believe that information would change lives and that whether or not you were able to understand a hard concept or better make a decision, I always wanted learning to be accessible, engaging, and actionable.
Fueling Curiosity
Curiosity is the ignition of innovation and personal growth. Through storytelling, explanations, and creative dialogue, I strive to fan that spark within others, helping them explore new ideas and perspectives.
Fostering Connection and Understanding
Words can be used to connect and bridge gaps. Whether it is in sharing stories, breaking barriers in understanding, or facilitating conversations, I seek to create spaces where people feel seen, heard, and valued.
Fostering Personal and Collective Growth
Creativity is not just about expression; it’s about growth. My mission is to inspire people to discover their potential and contribute meaningfully to their communities and the world.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rs.lakhera/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ramswaroop.lakhera
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ramswaroop-lakhera-769935150/
- Twitter: https://x.com/RSLakhera
Image Credits
hbieser
chienba