On Creativity

German scientist Albert Einstein once uttered “If you want your children to be intelligent, read them fairy tales. If you want them to be more intelligent, read them more fairy tales.” A fairy tale or fiction, product of sheer creativity of an imaginatively receptive mind would certainly delineate its importance as a psychological phenomenon which at any cost cannot be overlooked, but in this country where we dwell, creativity has no significance, it is often considered as something against cromulent social mores.

From Pakistan’s educational to social ecosystem creativity has no substantive existence neither the issue is being addressed with substantial seriousness it requires, which may be presumed as a reason this state stands far behind those socio-economically colossal empires of this era.

Before getting onto the actual debate it is requisite to mention that our religion Islam invites creativity instead of opposing it. Presence of problem-solving methods like ijtihad and ijma elucidates the importance of mental creativity in Islam and also a fact that Islam gives way to evolution and permits such innovations which fall under the boundaries of Islamic fundamentals.

We live in a country where education is merely associated to financial benefits, in a derelict economy with continuously increasing inflation and deteriorating socio-political landscape it would definitely be difficult to prioritise anything before money but still if our ideologies resonate with such latter principles it would be impossible for us to turnaround. Subject hierarchy solely on the basis of their futuristic need or financial benefits in terms of better paying job is not what a state is supposed to entertain especially one who doesn’t even have a uniform system of education, controlled holistically by federal government, division and communication gap betwixt provinces’ especially the educational one’ surely would take us nowhere, and this is what government institutions have to understand.

Generally speaking education system lays rudimentary bricks below a potent state upon which accomplished nation stands but if a country’s educational system kills student’s creative confidence at very early stages we couldn’t even imagine its long-term repercussions. In earlier times, empires were differentiated on the basis of their creativity, especially in terms of technological creativity, they used to exude disruptive innovations as symbol of pride either it would have been technological, artistic, cultural or any other form of creativity, Historical retrospection would definitely provide us with examples like Ming Dynasty, Ottoman Empire etc. who decimated their contemporaries on the basis of technological precocity only because they were keen enough to disrupt the course of innovations around the globe.

To better understand such notion, Battle of Constantinople would be most apposite to contemplate, ‘Basilica’ an instrumental element in the Battle was distinctive in its nature, a colossal canon unlike any other, a Spanish fleet from Gallipoli and immediate eureka moments which made them able to pass ships through land were disruptive ideas contributed in triumph of ottomans. This exudes existence of such creative race in ancient empires and most importantly the long term benefits these empires enjoyed as a result. Moving forward to actual brainstorming apart from the prologue presented above, it is requisite to be keen about solutions especially in terms of Pakistan’s ecosystem, beginning from basis the ‘educational’ which needs to be reconstructed. It is necessary to ensure such policies which would promote creative learning in students, making their brains more inquisitive open to questions and welcoming in nature.

As we see in most cases our generations aren’t taught to be flexible and their rigid attitude towards scenarios causes an erection of imaginary brain barriers. Art and craft holds extremely secondary position in the curriculum as such music and literature. How startling the fact is that a whole faction of artistic skills is not even introduced to them whereas subjects like sciences,’ oriented specifically to fill professional requirements’ has been enthroned to this educational monarchy.

According to a perspective sensitive brains of children, when in process of development should not be incubated in excessively methodical system comprising of theoretical knowledge and neglectful environment. Secondly it is momentous to eradicate certain dichotomy developed due to presence of two totally different educational systems, one for the privileged other for non-privileged, one educating comparatively better but westernised syllabus and other one is totally obsolete.

Our cultural barriers ‘as in Pakistan’ music is underestimated, labeled as something against social acceptance same goes for specific art such barriers triggers parents to oppose their children’s artistic infatuations making them vulnerable to mental depression. Government here needs to show some positive attitudes towards preserving ones creative confidence especially through educational institutions, some very basic changes may definitely help towards achieving this aim for example establishing ‘creative scholarships’ this would urge parents with less financial means to persuade their children’s to participate in creative activities in order to secure scholarships. 

Government should facilitate schools in opening ‘literature only’ libraries giving them fiction themed environment and most importantly introducing them to Urdu literature which is now being extremely neglected as a language, making educational trips requisite for every institution which would contribute in their learning process, moreover designing specific policies to arrange certain cultural extravaganzas annually in order to enable youth to participate and display their cultural creativity.

Reconstruction of curriculum holistically and eradication of social stigmas is quiet long term process which would require proper emphasis and reform exercise but measures like mentioned above would definitely make difference to some extent but immediate one thus it is important for our institutions to preserve creativity among young generation as it is the only way we would be able to make larger difference internationally.

Ahsan Daud is student of A, Levels, waiting for his final results.