Education system has become ‘marks-wadi’, says Pralhad Joshi; calls for experiential learning

Union Minister Pralhad Joshi on Tuesday asserted that the education system and anxious parents have become "marks-wadi", being overly fixated on their wards scoring marks, as he called for replacing rote learning with experiential learning. The minister made the comments in his address at the inauguration of an "Experience Centre" at the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE)'s integrated office complex in Dwarka. 

"Much of a student's time goes into memorising and planning how to score marks. Parents, too, often feel the marks must be scored somehow. I often say that people have become a different kind of 'marks-wadi'. The ideology is another matter, but the mindset has taken hold of nearly every parent. "The cost is that a child's understanding, learning capacity and interests go unexamined. The pressure to score also leaves students short on confidence... knowledge that stays in books and cannot be applied when needed serves little purpose. This is the thinking behind the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020," he said. 

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The minister said rote learning needs to be replaced with experiential learning, and anxious parents also need to stop being too focused on their ward scoring marks anyhow. He highlighted that learning should extend beyond textbooks and enable students to understand concepts, apply their knowledge and develop confidence through real-life experiences. Noting the importance of practical learning, the Minister emphasised that students should not merely study scientific concepts but also observe, experiment, and understand them through hands-on experiences. 

50,000 additional Atal Labs

Referring to the role of Atal Tinkering Labs in encouraging innovation and scientific temper, he stated that 10,000 Atal Tinkering Labs were already operational across the country, and that the government had decided to establish 50,000 additional labs. Joshi inaugurated the CBSE Experience Centre, which takes visitors through the changing story of education in India. Housing 12 broad zones and 21 exhibits spread across 6,000 square feet, the centre connects ancient traditions with modern learning and new career opportunities. A special section tracks the rise of CBSE through historical photographs and archival material, including records from 1935 and provides a glimpse into the role of the board in the evolution of the school education system. 

Joshi observed that education should equip young people with the knowledge, skills and values required to contribute meaningfully to society and the nation's development. Emphasising India's growing potential in technology, manufacturing and innovation, he underscored the need to prepare students for the evolving demands of the global workforce.