Is learning and reciting is the same thing. If you would ask me, I will reply with a BIG NO. There is as much difference between learning and reciting as much there is a difference between the North and the South. Some or most of the students for their convenience recite instead of learning, however it is not entirely the fault of those students. Unfortunately, in our education system unknowingly emphasis is given on reciting since the childhood. For example when we were very young we all have learned the multiplication tables, but how did we learned those, 2 onza 2, 2 twoza 4 and so on,.......it seems more like we were learning a song, which is a fun and it should be, but we missed a very import thing there which is the CONCEPT, like how the tables are made, what is the purpose of the tables. I understand that a very young student might have difficulty to grasp the concept, but come on we must give it a try, so that he can be encouraged to learn for rest of his/her life and not to recite.
As a professional myself, I am telling from my experience in the job industry or any industry what matters most is not how big degree you have or how far you have studied (without understanding). What matters most is how well are your CONCEPTS and how good your problem solving skill is, which only gets improved, when you learn and not recite.
Dear student, hoping this lesson may somewhat change your approach to the studies.