What they shouldn't have taught us at school

The attempt to teach moral science in schools must be the worst of the ideas ever proposed. Education is supposed to prepare students for the real world. However, the idealistic teachings on morals can never stand grounds in the real world. 

Experiences continue to teach us how many of the basic lessons taught were so wrong. Let us take a few examples.

Everybody is equal

It is no mystery to a mature mind that some are more equal than others.  They argued that if one is good at studies, the other is good at sports or arts or something unique. Well truthfully, sometimes one person is just better than another in every aspect that matters. Sometimes you are better and other times you are bettered. Sometimes we just have to accept our place in the hierarchy.

Take an example of countries now. My colleagues who had worked in the Middle East used to tell me the differential treatment meted to them just because they we Indians and not Europeans or Americans. On turning assertive they were politely asked if they remembered which embassy they belonged to.

Money can’t buy happiness

They taught us not to run after money and greed is bad. This must be the biggest lie ever told. Money is not a luxury, it’s a necessity. Let’s not count the people below poverty line (who will surely slap you on such an absurd statement) but consider the middle class. It’s not the money but what that money can buy: a liveable house, better schooling for children, better medical care of parents etc. Money, without a doubt, helps you buy things which can make you happy.

Flattery/ Ass-licking/ Politics doesn’t pay

If done tactfully, this is known to pay rich dividends. The ones who fail are the ones who become too obvious in their task. But schools taught us to always tell the truth however harsh. They taught us that indulging in politics is bad. They told us that success follows good work automatically. The need to be tactful, diplomatic, cheat and bribe, if necessary, and how to talk yourself out of a situation is something people have to learn on their own in the real world. The one who thinks that such cheap tactics could never work will soon realize how naive he is.

Be good and good shall be done unto you

Just general knowledge is enough to refute the fact. Dictators have led good lives and poor have died for no reason. Life is not fair. Life is a just a series of random happenings with little rhyme or reason (least at an individual level). Even if dictators are brought to justice and punished, it doesn’t change the fact that innocent people were killed at their hands. Does life become fair for them just because after two decades their killer was punished?

Schools prepared and continue to prepare students for an ideal world when the real world is not even close to it. Parents and popular culture don’t help either. Some may argue that it is these lessons that teach people to differentiate between right and wrong. Some may say that without even this moral code, the world may be much worse off for us all.

But if the lessons are going to make the world a better place at your cost, are they really worth learning?