A middle way...

The current model of schools evolved during the Industrial Age. Skilled workers were required on a regular basis to a variety of industries. Miners, ship-builders, accountants, Rail-road builders, Tailors, Doctors, Masons etc. These jobs required a common foundation on which further training was given. The schools were designed to provide the work-force and they continue to function in the same spirit.

But the world around us today looks nothing like it used to in the Industrial Age. Three things have changed,

• Manufacturing - is now far less dependent on labour. The bigger opportunities are in services that require thinking and collaborations.
• Internet - provides enormous amount of knowledge now. You can take advance courses, provide services, launch a venture, show your talents. You use the net, phone or modern transport.
• Mentors - Never in the human history can you find so many specialized, learned scholars in one place as in todays cities. You have many passionate engineers, scientists, programmers, managers, linguists, artisans, scholars living around your house. 

So why are kids being still Educated by a system that was designed for the Industrial Age. Are we sending kids to school so that they can get a manufacturing job ? not likely.

We need a new model of schooling. One that takes into account new aspiration. One that takes best of what school and outside world has to offer. I propose a three point solution,

• Find a least-demanding school closest to your house which has small working hours. A school which would take care of your child's need of socialization. This would cost you less and free-up a lot of time for the child.
• Find a handful of mentors around your house where your child can go as an apprentice to learn from passionate people. Drawing, Maths, Science, tennis, swimming, Sanskrit, Drama whatever interests the kid.
• Invest the time and money to travel wide to give exposure to your child. Historic places, geographic sites, camps, workshops. Use that spare money to teach skills  - a camera for movie making, a computer for programming, a studio for fabric design, a kitchen for baking, a lab for science experiments.

Till we change the model of schooling or until the current model becomes completely redundant, this may be the middle way which provides best education.

PS : Yes, home schooling is an option but its not for everyone. Also, home schooling has  its own limitation unless there are many home schoolers around to make a society. That is why I think this is a middle way.