Freedom to Perform

Performance as a parameter to deliver, as a qualitative or even a quantitative measure makes learning a challenge. What is more pertinent is the 'freedom to perform'. As often stated independence is the aim of education and this can only happen when there is full freedom to choose what one would like to do, how one would like to do and with whom. The education system often in the garb of delivery and process limits our 'freedom to perform'. 

Some decades ago I had wanted to do Biology with Geography, this was not possible as such a choice did not fit into the bundled offerings of the school and the education board. Moved on and found that my marks or the quantitive measure of my ability would only let me do a graduation in Economics in the University of my choice. Here was a student who loved outdoors and had a natural love for Geography went on to become a business person post a degree in Law and professional programme from IIM!

It is sometimes circumstance and often situations that limit our freedom to choose and thus limit our performance. 'A genius is a person who displays exceptional intellectual ability, creativity, or originality, typically to a degree that is associated with the achievement of unprecedented insight. There is no scientifically precise definition of genius, and the question of whether the notion itself has any real meaning has long been a subject of debate. The term is used in various ways: to refer to a particular aspect of an individual, or the individual in his or her entirety; to a scholar in many subjects (e.g. Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz or Leonardo da Vinci) or a scholar in a single subject (e.g., Albert Einstein or Charles Darwin). Research into what causes genius and mastery is still in its early stages, and psychology offers relevant insights.' - Wikipedia 

From chaos to creativity, from clutter to an 'eureka moment' all the great people have followed their heart, they have been much appreciated despite the fact when doing their good work their 'freedom to perform' may have been scoffed at. The landscape has since changed for the good, today we do find parents, teachers and mentors who are doing their best to help young people excel with passion and choice. Parents now want their children to play sports, they do find the passion in the young people and are now looking up to them, appreciating them and some are even letting the youth follow their heart. The world today has become flat and travel become a part of life, opportunities to has grown manifold. In the times where innovation is now the key for leadership, the 'freedom to perform' is indeed the most essential element to help each person develop as an individual and attain true glory.

In the education system some have a choice for what to study, but how to study is still governed by a curriculum. There is choice of the board one can choose and today, the idea of Geography with Biology is indeed a reality. When we give due regard to informal education and not use the paper degree as a measure, will there be the true freedom. There are limited experiments where one can choose what to study, how to study and with whom to study, however is there a choice 'not to study'? 

What is study will be a debate always and will be hemmed in the boundary of education systems, economics of delivery and so called social practices. What is most important that Service, Skills, Sports and Study are all forms and more so integral part of the education process and now time has come for us to offer the freedom to choose from these too.

Perform and performance are yardsticks that will change, an individual must follow the heart and work passionately to find oneself. The sky is the limit and innovation is the key, let us all rededicate ourselves to ensure the 'freedom to perform' becomes a fundamental purpose of life.