Emotional Quotient- Foundational skill in education

 

 

EQ- Foundational skill in education

 

Year is 1995 it is 5pm and all in my family were super anxious as my eldest sister’s 11^th grade result was about to be announced. Moment result was out my parents could not stop bragging about their daughter’s final score, she was State second rank holder and her score was…. 74%. Fast forward thirty years and score for a topper is 99.99%.

Buzz word for last three decades was STEM. The reason behind this shift was the observation that education, being imparted at that time, was limited to data acquisition. Students were not guided to learn why and how of concepts, leave aside creating something new from knowledge they acquired.

There is no doubt that introduction of STEM learning empowered children to explore, create and experiment new ideas. But question to be asked is ‘Is STEM ultimate shift in education?’ To answer this question first thing, we need to clarify is, ‘What is education?’

For me education is the bridge that enables an individual to reach his/her full potential as divine being. And a divine being is not just a physical or mental being but a Holistic being that has an ability to comprehend laws of nature, at every level of existence, and use this knowledge to not only evolve oneself but aid in the evolution of everything around them.

While approach like STEM enable learners to go deeper into conceptual understanding and improve their IQ (Intelligence quotient) but there is a fundamental need to incorporate EQ (Emotional quotient) to our education as well.

Let us take a moment to understand what EQ is all about and how it directly impacts our IQ. You have taken days to learn and master one of the computer languages but when in an interview question is asked, related to that language, your brain goes blank and you are unable to remember anything you have learned. Moments like these we all have experienced multiple times in our lives. In such moments it is not lack of IQ that hinders our success but indeed lack of our mastery over our emotions.

Biggest challenge for Gen-Z (Children born between late 1990’s to Late 2010) is not comprehending and using knowledge but managing emotions. As a result of which number of cases of depression in this age group have seen an exponential increase.

There is no doubt that top skill that needs to be acquired by our children is to connect, understand and develop an ability to shift our emotions when required. Without this core skill even if our children become masters of knowledge, they will not be able to use it to experience life which has fulfilled its divine purpose.

Heartfully, 

Manika.