Marks are obsolete. It is time for projects

A swarm of tiny drones hovers over the lush green rice paddies, their sensors scanning the crops below. Farmers in conical hats watch from the edge of the field, tablets in hand, as real-time data streams in. This isn't a scene from a sci-fi movie, but a real-life innovation transforming agriculture in Vietnam.

Now, picture a classroom five thousand kilometers away. Rows of students hunched over desks, frantically scribbling answers to questions they'll likely never encounter again. That's the reality for hundreds of millions here in India. The contrast is stark, isn't it?

What if, instead of chasing marks, these students were designing drone systems to revolutionize farming in their own communities? What if their "exams" involved solving real-world problems, innovating, and creating tangible value?

Imagine a group of high school students in a coastal town developing a low-cost water quality monitoring system using Arduino boards and sensors. Their project not only teaches them about electronics, programming, and environmental science but also provides valuable data to local fisheries and environmental agencies.

Or consider a team of middle-schoolers creating a mobile app that helps elderly neighbors request assistance with daily tasks. This project would encompass coding, user interface design, and community service, all while addressing a real social need.

Picture a class of 10th graders collaborating with local artisans to design and market sustainable, eco-friendly packaging for traditional crafts. This project would blend economics, design, environmental studies, and cultural preservation.

These aren't far-fetched ideas. They're examples of what's possible when we shift from a marks-based system to one centered on meaningful projects.

The pursuit of marks has become an albatross around the neck of our education system. We've trapped millions of bright young minds in a cycle of memorization and regurgitation, all for the sake of numbers on a report card. But in a world where AI can ace standardized tests, what are we really preparing our children for?

Alfred North Whitehead, the renowned philosopher and mathematician, once observed, "The aim of education is the production of active wisdom." Yet our current system seems more focused on passive knowledge accumulation rather than fostering active, applicable wisdom.

The long-term consequences of this marks-centric approach are profound. We're raising generations of young adults who struggle to find their footing in a world that doesn't hand out grades. They've been trained to follow instructions, not to innovate; to answer questions, not to ask them.

What we need is an education system that values creation over consumption. Imagine a world where students graduate not with a single number, but with a portfolio of real-world projects and micro-certifications that showcase their skills, creativity, and problem-solving abilities.

Here are some concrete steps we can take to move in this direction:

1. Implement project-based learning: Replace traditional exams with long-term projects that require research, collaboration, and real-world application of knowledge.

2. Introduce micro-certifications: Break down large subjects into smaller, skill-based modules that students can master at their own pace.

3. Partner with local businesses and organizations: Create opportunities for students to work on real-world problems in their communities.

4. Emphasize soft skills: Incorporate assessments for creativity, critical thinking, and collaboration into the curriculum.

5. Encourage entrepreneurship: Set up school-based incubators where students can develop and launch their own projects or small businesses.

The transition won't be easy, but it's necessary. The most valuable resource in education is the student's time. It's time we invested that resource more wisely, allowing students to engage in meaningful work rather than endless test preparation.

Farmers in Vietnam aren't transforming their industry by memorizing textbooks. They are embracing new technologies, taking risks, and learning through doing. It's time our education system did the same.

Let's move beyond marks and grades. Let's unleash the creative potential of our youth through meaningful projects. The future of our nation – and perhaps the solution to many of our pressing challenges – might just depend on it.