A TFI Reflection

“EXCELLENT EDUCATION” is what makes a person a human being. A good education might teach to solve physics problem or comprehend Shakespeare, but an excellent education will help realize who we are and what we can achieve in this one lifetime. it’s a mindset creation – A function that teaches us to respect others, value time and do the best in all that we do. Today millions of children in India do not know what it means to dream, and what they are capable of achieving if at all they dream. I believe an excellent education is the one that can give hope to these millions of children. It will help them transform their dreams into reality rather than landing a day job. In these times where humanity faces, one of the greatest man made challenges – hatred – be it religious, racial or geographical – education should provide us with a fire to understand history, culture and heritage. It is the foundation of making not just citizens of a country but patriots of the nation. It’s what makes us tolerant towards our fellow humans. I am fortunate enough to have built in such an attitude of understanding and tolerance, thanks to wonderful teachers and parents I have been blessed with. As such why not we call it my duty to impart this light of love, sharing and knowledge to those who we are leaving this world for? As a teacher, I would be able to a show them what dreaming big has done for me; How I was able to go far and beyond my capabilities and achieve my goals. As a fellow at teach for India I hope to impart my experience, my knowledge and share my inspiration with these children. I strongly believe that kids of today are those who will transform India to a world super power tomorrow. If that is to be achieved, a small step must be taken today – a step towards literacy, a step towards education and step towards transforming these young minds. Good education has remained a privilege for urban India. The profession of imparting knowledge has transformed itself into “business of teaching”. This has also affected the quality of education that is available in the country. The number of participating teaching staff has dwindled in government schools and the ones who participate are not dedicated enough to care for change. As a result, our children are not able cope up with expectation and as surveys have shown, their knowledge has always remained under-par. However with initiatives like Teach for India, this is a gap that we are trying to bridge : The gap between an immediate need of quality teaching sources and a million of these children who need that support. The fact that the fellows who join teach For India initiative are coming up sans any monitory motives, makes it an excellent pathway of getting quality teachers. I feel it’s important to understand a student’s capabilities and challenges and respond to the situation with sensitivity. Coming generation is our seed for a better tomorrow. Sadly the modern education system has been solely focused on helping them clear exams or scoring GPA. While it is important to keep the competitive edge, we should not forget to teach them importance of seeing the world as a bigger picture. Values and culture are something that education should aim at giving these children. I want to help them realize that this world is full of possibilities and unending opportunities for those who seek them. I hope the experience that I have gained so far from my corporate experience, volunteering and field of theatre can be applied in inspiring these young minds. Imparting education to children, who are otherwise under-privileged, is key in bringing educational equality in this country. Poor remaining poor (or poorer) and rich getting richer is a vicious cycle. Right education is essential in upsetting this current unhealthy socio-economic gap. Through this opportunity I will be a part of our journey towards showing light to that section of society, who was never told, they could dream. I dream that educational equality will someday be a reality and not just my dream.