Emotional Quotient (EQ): Why Indian Educators Should Think Beyond IQ
New Delhi:
Intelligence Quotient or IQ is not an unfamiliar term. Parents as well as teachers use this term frequently when referring to a child's intelligence. However, one term which has emerged recently as a measure of intelligence is EQ which means Emotional Quotient. The steady popularity of EQ goes on to show that now it's not just academic intelligence which is valued but also a child or a student's capacity to empathize with their peers and the circumstances around them. Emotional Intelligence or EQ is as important for a child's overall growth as their IQ.
But what is EQ? Simply stated, EQ means an individual's ability to understand other people, what motivates them and how to work with them in a team.
Why is it important to develop EQ in students from a young age?
First, EQ is vital for any professional in the current world where it has become a necessity to not just work in close contact with individuals but also work in and as part of a team. Being a hard working individual is no longer enough and an employee must also have the ability to co-ordinate and work harmoniously in a team.
Second, empathy is not just a necessity at workplace but also a needed quality in classrooms. Despite efforts, every now and then cases of ragging or bullying come up. These incidences scar a student for life. It is these kinds of situations which can be prevented if our educational curriculum also paid attention to helping students develop Emotional Intelligence.
Role of teachers
In India, where there is a huge pressure to perform academically, there is less or no attention paid to a child's emotional well-being. Teachers too, are often conditioned to generate results in the form of more students getting higher marks than an all-round development of students.
It is not uncommon for Indian classrooms to have a few students who are distracted and are under-performers. Instead of looking after the emotional needs of such students, they are termed stupid and their emotional needs are brushed aside.
This is where the role of teachers comes into play. A teacher should be receptive to their students' emotional needs and should be able to identify the root of a child's misbehavior in class or their reluctance to participate in classroom activities.
It is only a misfortune that despite having academic qualifications, many individuals find it difficult to function at workplaces because of their inability to empathize with their co-workers and operate in a team. It is high time that Indian educators paid attention to helping students develop 'soft skills' as well as learn empathy and compassion.
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But what is EQ? Simply stated, EQ means an individual's ability to understand other people, what motivates them and how to work with them in a team.
Why is it important to develop EQ in students from a young age?
First, EQ is vital for any professional in the current world where it has become a necessity to not just work in close contact with individuals but also work in and as part of a team. Being a hard working individual is no longer enough and an employee must also have the ability to co-ordinate and work harmoniously in a team.
Second, empathy is not just a necessity at workplace but also a needed quality in classrooms. Despite efforts, every now and then cases of ragging or bullying come up. These incidences scar a student for life. It is these kinds of situations which can be prevented if our educational curriculum also paid attention to helping students develop Emotional Intelligence.
Role of teachers
In India, where there is a huge pressure to perform academically, there is less or no attention paid to a child's emotional well-being. Teachers too, are often conditioned to generate results in the form of more students getting higher marks than an all-round development of students.
It is not uncommon for Indian classrooms to have a few students who are distracted and are under-performers. Instead of looking after the emotional needs of such students, they are termed stupid and their emotional needs are brushed aside.
This is where the role of teachers comes into play. A teacher should be receptive to their students' emotional needs and should be able to identify the root of a child's misbehavior in class or their reluctance to participate in classroom activities.
It is only a misfortune that despite having academic qualifications, many individuals find it difficult to function at workplaces because of their inability to empathize with their co-workers and operate in a team. It is high time that Indian educators paid attention to helping students develop 'soft skills' as well as learn empathy and compassion.
Click here for more Education News
