DNA Edit: Phoney pursuits

Mobile phones may seem cool, but they are actually making our teenagers unsmart, especially those in the age group of 14-18 who are unable to read a basic text in their vernacular languages.

The Annual Status of Education Report (ASER) for the rural populace, drawn from the survey carried out in 28 districts over 24 states, throws up many shocking details. It shows how addiction to phones has clouded the youngsters’ minds and ruining their future.

On the threshold of adulthood, they are clueless about state capitals of the country and the states they live in and, even worse, cannot identify the map of India. These are basic information! Equally shocking is the fact that 25 per cent of teenagers taking part in the study couldn’t count money, 44 per cent couldn’t add weight in kilograms and some couldn’t even read a watch to tell time.

But there is another grim side to the study. Career choices in rural India are determined by gender, which, according to activists, is due to lack of opportunities for girls. This deep schism is encouraging a mindset that’s far removed from the current churning — where traditional gender dynamics are being subverted by women who are taking on newer and more dynamic roles in their chosen profession.

It must be said that there are two countries in India, one less fortunate than the other. The more fortunate urban India has a much better infrastructure and exposure when compared to its neglected its rural counterpart.

In all these years, this gulf has only widened. But in recent times, the greatest damage to educational pursuits has been inflicted by the ubiquitous presence of cellphones. With handsets coming in cheap and call and data charges cheaper, anyone can buy a smartphone. Even if information is on fingertips, the brains to process it isn’t being utilised.