“The real difficulty is that
people have no idea of what education truly is. We assess the value of
education in the same manner as we assess the value of land or of shares in the
stock-exchange market. We want to provide only such education as would enable
the student to earn more. We hardly give any thought to the improvement of the
character of the educated. The girls, we say, do not have to earn; so why
should they be educated? As long as such ideas persist there is no hope of our
ever knowing the true value of education”..... M. K. Gandhi on True Education
Pakur District one of
the districts in India where rich mineral resources available but the majority
population are poor. Their income is hand to mouth and mostly agrarian society.
In Pakur district there are six blocks and Littipara block one of them. Jainab
Khatun is a student of class 5th of Primary School Binjhamara where two
teachers working. Binjha is an interior village of Littipara Block. Most
of the students belong to first-generation learner family and they are not
familiar with the bookish education. They are trying to adopt the formal
education system. Jainab is a little girl who dose not know the meaning of
education and she wants to know. Our present societies fault is, still they
believe girls can’t do anything or girls should learn only kitchen and
household-related amenities. Mr. Lokesh (Headteacher) trying to motivate all
the students for a better future and formal education. Jainab regular student
and she is also a farmer. She is doing work with their parents in the field
that’s why some time she is irregular in the classroom. She is working in the
field is not a new concept; here, hundred of Jainab like girls working in the
field (Paddy cultivation) during June and July month. Jainab is not a brilliant
student as per our system. She has not bookish knowledge, she can’t read the
book fluently, she is facing difficulties the number system, she has a limited
vocabulary. But, she is a resource and we should respect all types of talent.
Jainab like girls is stars covered by dark black clouds we should uncover and
show the field talent.
We all know the real
meaning of education but not practicing in our daily life but little Jainab
know what she needs? She is very aware of the month of monsoon and rainfall.
She has knowledge about how natural water favorable for the rice cultivation.
She knows the complete process of rice cultivation from seed distribution to
cutting. All these things are practical and live experiences which are daily
life part of Jainab. She is actually practicing real education what our famous
educationist indicated. Not only farmland, but she also has experience of kitchen and
household practices too. Jainab shared
“Sir, now the rainy season is going to finish after a few days and if
anyone need water for the cultivated then S/he should take water of running
river” small girl like she, who has real-life experience, has not to value in
our education system because she has less number of marks in examination. But,
what about the other part which she has abundant? Who will care about all these
things? If we really want true education what Mahatma Gandhi said, we need more
focused and sustainable education system. Through the system girl like Jainab
will get back their real position in the school, society etc.
How should we promote
all these kind of knowledge and experience through formal education is a
question? Rural India has too much talent and we should pull those talents in
the mainstream society. It is very necessary to uncover the dark clouds and
show the society real star (Jainab like girl)...
from Ajabul Biswas
