Probably you may find the title Five Point Someone unfamiliar, but you should have heard of the blockbuster Three Idiots. Three Idiots is actually an adapted film version of this novel written by an Indian writer Chetan Bhagat. The humour, excitement and energy of the film brought me to the original version.
With things happening on three mechanical engineering students in the Indian Institute of Technology Delhi, the author attempts to criticize the current Indian education system, which highly values grades more than anything else. The teaching in the college is depicted as uninspiring and monotonous that students’ creativity is seriously suppressed.
To fight against the unfair grading system of the school, Hari, Ryan and Alok decide to share their assignments, classes and laboratory observations. One person will only do these by turn. The others will simply copy the work or notes. While most readers might be delighted by students’ naughtiness, as a teacher, I find this scene saddening that students dislike learning and even escape from it. The talented are not given opportunity to develop their potentials.
The scene also reminds me of the society in which we are living today. Hong Kong society is not less competitive than India. Students have been well informed that only good academic achievements can bring them a prosperous and promising future. Both students and parents are obsessed with looking for best schools and tutorial classes for the sake of academic excellence. Yet, do students learn solely for examinations? Or I would better ask “Should students learn solely for examinations?’ That is a question worth pondering.
To me, learning is far broader than academic achievements. It is about developing my character, cultivating value system, training my skills and broadening my horizons. Knowledge enables me to make wise decision with sound judgment. An education system ignoring all these crucial elements is risky not only to students, but also the society. Hopefully the writer’s views can be heard and responded.
The film is not full adaptation of the book. It is certainly worthwhile to read it. I am sure you will be exhilarated by this page-turner!
分享者﹕胡燕璇 老師
