The absence of memory techniques in the Indian school syllabus can be attributed to several factors, though there have been some attempts to change this.

Traditional Education System

India’s education system has traditionally focused on rote memorization, where students are encouraged to memorize facts and information, often without understanding the deeper concepts behind them. This emphasis on memorization often leaves little room for teaching memory-enhancing techniques because students are already conditioned to memorize information in a linear, repetitive way.

Curriculum Overload

The school curriculum in India is vast, and there is often little room to focus on individual skills like memory techniques. Subjects are prioritized, with less emphasis on holistic skills such as critical thinking, creativity, or cognitive strategies like memory improvement. This results in memory techniques being sidelined.

Lack of Awareness

Memory techniques like the 'method of loci', 'chunking', and 'mnemonics' are still relatively niche in mainstream education. Many teachers and educators may not be well-versed in these methods themselves, making it difficult to integrate them into the curriculum. There's a lack of awareness among both educators and policymakers about the long-term benefits of memory enhancement techniques.

Focus on Exam-Oriented Learning

The Indian education system, with its emphasis on high-stakes exams and standardized testing, often prioritizes exam performance over cognitive skills development. Memory techniques, which can significantly improve learning and retention, are seen as secondary to passing exams. There's an obsession with "getting marks" rather than truly understanding or retaining knowledge.

Cultural Factors

In Indian culture, there is a historical and traditional reverence for knowledge and memory, particularly in classical texts and oral traditions. However, in modern schooling, there's less focus on leveraging such traditions for improving memory in day-to-day learning, especially as the system has shifted toward more formalized and institutionalized education.

Initiatives and Changes in the Landscape

Despite these challenges, there have been some initiatives and growing interest in this area:

Memory Competitions

 India now has its own memory championships, where participants compete in various memory challenges like recalling long sequences of numbers, names, or lists. These competitions have been helping bring attention to the value of memory techniques. Some state and national-level memory contests are slowly gaining traction, encouraging students to develop better memory skills.

Educational Reforms and EdTech

   Some progressive educators and ed-tech startups are now integrating cognitive science and memory-enhancing techniques into their learning tools. Apps like BYJU’s and Vedantu may not focus specifically on memory techniques, but they incorporate elements of active recall, spaced repetition, and other cognitive strategies that improve memory retention.

Private Initiatives

   Various private institutions, coaching centers, and educational organizations in India offer memory training courses. Some focus on children, while others target students preparing for competitive exams. For example, the Super Brain Memory Technique courses and similar offerings are available across cities.

Mind Mapping & Mnemonics

   Some schools and educators have started to experiment with memory-enhancing techniques like mind mapping, which helps organize information in a way that makes it easier to recall. These methods are being integrated into teaching, especially in progressive schools focusing on cognitive development.

Public Awareness and Changing Perceptions

   With the advent of social media and online platforms like YouTube, many memory experts from around the world have shared their knowledge with a wider audience. The younger generation is becoming increasingly aware of memory techniques, and there’s a growing community of students who use methods like spaced repetition and memory palaces to improve their study routines.

The Way Forward

The adoption of memory techniques in the school syllabus could play a major role in enhancing the learning experience. Some ways forward could include:

Incorporating memory techniques in the school curriculum. Simple methods like mnemonics, visualization, or spaced repetition could be part of regular learning.

Teacher Training: Offering professional development programs for teachers to introduce them to cognitive techniques that improve memory retention.

Government and NGO Involvement: Government bodies or NGOs could partner with educational institutions to implement memory training as part of mental fitness.

More Research & Awareness: Promoting research on how memory techniques influence academic performance in schools could bring greater attention to their benefits.

Though there’s a long way to go, the increasing popularity of cognitive science and learning strategies may lead to more widespread adoption of these techniques in the future.