Part 2 of 17 in The Engaged Indian Teen
The Myth of Outsourcing Education
I had a conversation recently with a young founder who was considering entering the edtech space. He was brimming with enthusiasm about the potential of digital platforms to “revolutionize” education in India. As someone who has invested in several startups, I appreciate passion and innovation. But as a parent and a reform advocate, I found myself uneasy with his premise: the reliance on technology to solve what is fundamentally a human problem.
Education in India has become a commodity. It’s something parents outsource to schools, tutors, and now, digital platforms. This mindset is deeply flawed. I often hear parents say, “We’ve enrolled our child in the best coaching classes,” as if cutting a cheque absolves them of their educational responsibilities. But education isn’t a product to be bought; it’s a journey to be shared.
Let’s be clear: schools and edtech platforms can offer resources, but they cannot replace the role of a parent in a child’s learning journey. Schools are factories designed to produce the “ideal” student — one who aces exams. But what about curiosity? What about the ability to think critically or solve real-world problems? These are not skills that can be outsourced.
Take, for example, the case of a patient I saw last month. She was a bright student, well on her way to pursuing a career in medicine. Yet, she confessed she felt no real passion for the subject. Her parents had charted her course; she was just following the map. It struck me then how similar this is to the way we treat education — as a series of checkboxes rather than an exploration.
In my experience, genuine learning happens when children are encouraged to explore their interests. This brings me to a lesson I’ve learned from both medicine and investing: risk is inherent in any worthwhile endeavor. In my clinic, I often counsel patients about the uncertainties of IVF. There’s no guarantee of success, but the journey is worth it for those willing to take the risk. Education should be no different. Encouraging a child to explore their interests is risky; they might fail, they might change their mind, but that’s the point. The ability to navigate failure is a skill worth cultivating.
Now, let’s address the elephant in the room: technology. I’ve invested in edtech platforms, and I see their potential, but they are not a panacea. They are tools, not teachers. We need to balance technology with human curiosity, not replace one with the other. In a post I wrote on balancing AI tools and human curiosity, I elaborate on how technology can complement but not replace the nuances of human intuition. The danger lies in believing that an app can replace a parent or a teacher.
Consider the impact of outsourcing education on relationships. When parents leave everything to schools and platforms, they miss out on understanding their child’s evolving interests and struggles. This creates a gap that technology cannot bridge. I’ve seen it in my own family. The conversations that stem from shared learning experiences are irreplaceable. They build trust, empathy, and understanding — qualities no app can instill.
So, what’s the way forward? It begins with acknowledging that education is not a service but a relationship. Parents must reclaim their role as their child’s first educators. This isn’t about homeschooling or rejecting schools altogether; it’s about being actively involved in your child’s learning process. Ask questions, foster discussions, and encourage exploration. Make room for mistakes, and celebrate the small victories along the way.
Moreover, we must hold schools accountable, not just for academic outcomes, but for nurturing well-rounded individuals. Educational reform needs a dose of honesty, much like the transparency I advocate for in fertility clinics. In a piece I wrote titled “Why Education Reform Needs a Dose of Fertility Clinic Honesty”, I discuss how transparency in outcomes can lead to better trust and effectiveness in education.
In conclusion, the myth of outsourcing education is just that — a myth. Education is a shared journey, a collaborative effort between parents, children, and educators. It’s time we stopped looking for shortcuts and started investing our time, energy, and love into it. Our children deserve nothing less.