Nelson Mandela famously said: “Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world”
What is Education? Education is the process of facilitating learning, or the acquisition of knowledge, skills, values, morals, beliefs, and habits.
Education is one of the most important investments a country can make in its future. To improve the development of a country, all its citizens should be educated, as an educated citizen acts as a more productive citizen. Education is the most significant tool in eliminating poverty and unemployment. Education is a powerful agent of change, which improves health and livelihoods, contributes to social stability, and drives long-term economic growth.
"Lokah Samstha sukhino bhavanthu" - The Vedic dream of the whole globe being happy & fulfilled.
I feel that the education is key to everything: Nuclear threat, poverty, child labour and destruction of the climate.
Creating More Employment Opportunities, securing a Higher Income, Developing Problem-solving Skills, Improving the Economy, Providing a Prosperous and Happy Life, Giving Back to the Community, Creating Modern Society, Bridging the Borders, Creating equal opportunities, Introducing Empowerment… I can just go on & on about the benefits of Education for all!
International human rights law states, primary education shall be compulsory and free of charge. Secondary and higher education shall be made progressively free of charge.
Every child must be given a chance to explore their inherent talents & potential. Every child must be given the power of imagination & thought! Wouldn’t it be utopia then?
However, you & I don’t live in utopia! You & I live in a world where access to education for a vast majority of us, especially girls, is a distant dream. Due to the huge population in India, free education becomes a very difficult goal to achieve. Most people in India, especially in the poorer sections of society, have many children. So, paying for the education of all of them becomes very difficult. Also, most people feel that education will make their children too modern & they won’t adhere to tradition & respect their culture. Lot of myths & orthodox surrounds the liberalisation of children. Religion, gender, economic status all play a part.
Government schools in our country are free- especially for primary education! But do you know how many children under 10 years use that facility? Hardly 10%! The dropout rate from primary to secondary education is almost 60%. 50%- 65%of Indian children aged 6-18 years don’t even go to school!
Also, purely from a business perspective, how can educational institutions survive if the students don’t pay any fees? How will the logistics of rent, salaries, electricity, etc. work out?
In developing countries, it’s not just education that is a priority. Meals for children, medication, security & safety of the students all are of equal importance. How will the schools generate the funds for all this?
Educational institutions must hire quality teachers even though education is imparted free of cost, otherwise children will only get wrong knowledge and information. How will these quality teachers earn their livelihood? How will they support their families?
It's not just education, it’s the whole ecosystem around it, and it comes at a price…
However, I am an eternal optimist! I believe in the power of hope. I believe that one day, we shall overcome!!!
Signing off with the words of eternal nectar that our Vedas are,
sarve bhavantu sukhinaḥ
sarve santu nirāmayāḥ
sarve bhadrāṇi paśyantu mā kaścidduḥ khabhāgbhaveta