TWO MILLION MINUTES
Well, how do I describe this documentary series? It’s simply a wonderful concept! An absolute pleasure watching! An eye opener. Actually, it is all of them.
USA, India and China- one former and two emerging Superpowers with hustling-busting and sometimes rumbling economies. And then, a very important aspect of these 3 countries- their EDUCATION SYSTEM. The makers brilliantly handle and present this concept, resulting in a mind blowing experience.
Before I talk about this film shot in 4 chapters, let me tell you about the title. Well, as students enter high school, each of them have approximately Two Million Minutes to establish the base of their careers, something that can make or break their lives. The film showcases how students of USA and India/China utilize these two million minutes by training, coaching, preparing for college admissions, higher studies, etc. or maybe even by not doing so. The film appropriately talks about all the major issues, highlights, merits and demerits of the education systems which make it quite engaging.
As part of the documentary, two students (one boy and one girl from each of the 3 countries) are taken as case studies, and their views, thoughts and experiences about their own lifestyles and that of the students (from the other countries) are recorded and discussed.
I distinctly remember the Indian girl who starts her day going for Math tuitions at 5 a.m every day, and then having breakfast after going to school. She aptly commented on the American style of schooling, saying that for the Indian student, the American way of schooling was like a ‘dream’. Well, maybe this is true, but maybe it’s not when you see the long term benefit and detriments of each.
While the film does support the Indian/Chinese approach to schooling, one cannot help but notice the problems in our curricula and system too. According to me, over the years, our idea of ‘coaching’ and ‘appearing for various competitive exams’ have become obsolete. For they have become centers of merely overburdening the students with copious amounts of work, whether they comprehend it or not. The result, they all perform miserably! Top personalities are now commenting and saying that the pass outs of even premier institutes are in fact not at all competent. And that is the truth. The intense pressure and wrong approach has left the students like maniacs only studying, leaving no time for other activities.
Well, when it comes to the demerits of our education system, I’ll have to write on it some other time. But for now, I would like to end with a quote by Thomas L. Friedman, in support of the Indian/Chinese education system: When I was growing up, my parents told me, 'Finish your dinner. People in China and India are starving.' I tell my daughters, 'Finish your homework. People in India and China are starving for your job.' Well said, Shri Friedman.
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