THE WEALTH OF EDUCATION Sometimes you think that going to the school is so boring, but feel that you

Sometimes you think that going to the school is so boring, but feel that you privileged ones,
who learn things, read beautiful stories, count your pocket money. You do not have to work to
earn your food. While passing by a street, have you ever noticed
By Bijnan Sutar small kids of your age begging or doing some labour. Do you think
you can help them?
Each One Teach One is a known African Proverb. This phrase originated in the United States during
slavery, when Africans and African Americans were denied education, including learning to read. Help them not by giving money, but help them with
Most of the slaves were kept in a state of ignorance about anything beyond their immediate working knowledge. You can buy books for them and
knowledge. Denying education was one of the methods used to keep them docile and obedient and educate them, so that they can become better
imbibed in them the belief that they were inferior and unworthy of a life beyond serving their mas- citizens by acquiring knowledge. Ask them
ters, doing physical labour and submissive to harsh and abusive treatment. The right to an educa- to join a Government sponsored schools for
tion and the possibility of learning were distant dreams for slaves; free blacks and white sympathiz- poor children.
ers understood its value. Some of these people, despite the possibility of physical punishment, were
brave enough to risk themselves in an effort to teach others. When a slave learned or was taught
to read, it became his/her duty to teach someone else, spawning the phrase “Each one teach one.”
It became a saying that still in trend in the world over, and underlies many community driven chari-
table, educational and volunteer programs.
“Spread the wealth of
knowledge”.
We Indians are independent and not slaves any more. Independent, since 60 years, still many of our
children do not have the access to education which can give them the basic means to sustain their
day to day life. There is no school available in many villages. Education is becoming the right of the
only rich though the government is trying its best to attain 100% literacy. Sarva Siksha Abhyiayan,
a literacy programme by the Govt. could not achieve any praiseworthy goal. Now the declaration of
Right to Education may bring some change in the present scenario So, come on you Children now… let us all join our hands together and commence
afresh, from our own homes and neighbourhood, and teach atleast one child to make our
Meanwhile, you as the future of our nation can adopt a child, society literate and a better place to live in.
who is not getting any opportunity towards education. You
can teach him/her, what you have learnt. Because teaching is
that if you spread it or give it, it increases many fold. Teaching
is the process of mutual learning. You can share your books
which you have finished. Tell him stories that you read.

By doing this, you will enable them to count their money,

find the time and date, use the calendar, write letters to
their near and dear ones. See in your apartment, locality,
if your maid or safaiwala has kids who are not able to go
to school. Ask them to send their kids to you during your
weekends or spare time so that you can help them learn.
You have to be patient, because what come naturally to
you takes little more time for them to understand. Become
a lovable teacher and caring person who can inspire them
to read and write.
Qu i rk August, 2010 39 40 Qu i rk August, 2010
Qu i rk August, 2010 41 42 Qu i rk August, 2010