Importance of teaching

International Literacy Day, celebrated on 8 September, is an initiative by the United Nations to reiterate the thought that it is one of the main factors affecting an individual’s life in the society as well the development index of the country at large.

When it comes to India, views regarding the increase of literacy rate are subject to much argument. Excessive population along with numerous regional languages create the greatest barrier to the drive of increasing literacy rate. But with the initiatives like “Sarbashiksha abhijan”, “Kanya shree” and “Beti parao beti bachao” drives the objective of educating each and everyone towards a better future has a probable fulfillment.

In a society where girls are doomed to confinement, especially in rural areas, these drives come as a blessing to all and answer on the face of lame excuses for not being able to educate ones’ wards. Another problem is the poverty ridden state of those families where sons are considered just another source of income, thus being pushed towards child employment at the tender ages of seven-eight years.

The delicate hands of these children are only fit to hold books and pencils and not shovel and bricks which wears them out. Fortunately, government actions have been able to restrict the practices of child labour to some extent. But then with the uneducated lot of our country, the free flow of development gets obstructed.

The mindless superstitions, existent till date, calls for the light of education. In this case the initiative by the government to open education homes is a commendable move. Now coming to the highlight of this article, which is to aware the readers that most problems have their roots to the lack of education. Such are the grave state of affairs, not only in the villages but also in the cities, where ignorance calls for heinous acts of crimes like disrespecting each other’s religious faith.

This way we are only encouraging the terrorists to destroy the world. Those who guides them, takes advantage of the ignorance of common men. It is the growing crime rates and the bacteria-like growth of vigilant groups due to the lack of education that calls in for the importance of education and thus the international literacy day.

The greatest possible solution to this growing problem is the involvement of those belonging from the education sphere, alongside the government. As well depicted in numerous essay books , its indeed true to resonate a similar voice calling students, especially in college, to take the initiative by their own organising programs to go for education drives in rural areas. The light of education must reach the places which are yet to witness electricity.

School or college authorities must initiate such plans along with the students. In these cases help should be sought from international organisations and NGO’s. Even the school students can contribute in their own ways, for instance, by donating old books to that beggar standing opposite to their school gates to help him understand the value of literacy.

As the saying goes “knowledge increases when shared,” they can also take the initiative of teaching the poor child of their housemaid and educate him/her.

So this Literacy Day, lets spare a thought for the less fortunate and try and educate them in the minimal possible way from our end. Let the light of education enlighten even the darkest corners of this world.

(Sayan Chandra, Coordinator, Class XII, St ThomasBoys School)

The biggest gift of life

Literacy is the golden key to knowledge and the very base of self-identity. We usually tend to neglect a not conversant person but don’t realise that a country can never prosper without literacy. Half the population who are untutored are below poverty level.

That is why literacy doesn’t hold any importance to them. Every citizen has a right to education not only to develop one’s own self but also for the betterment of the society.

Literacy helps one express his or her individuality. Nowadays, even underprivileged children are getting opportunity to study due to many government initiatives but this was not the case during their parents’ times. So it is the responsibility of those children to educate their parents rather than looking down upon them or being embarrassed for their illiteracy.

Otherwise there is no use in that kind of education which does not teach us to respect our parents. We must try to bring light into the lives of those who have always been suppressed into darkness, and make them realise that they also deserve to learn and that education is the biggest gift of life. Such small initiatives today have the potential to bring about a revolution in future.

Instead of criticising the administration lets encourage their welfare steps towards eradicating illiteracy and let them know that we have our support.

(Oindrila Gupta, Coordinator, Class XII, St Joseph and Mary’s School)