... for they have their own thoughts - Multiworld India

242005 Goa, IndiaT. M. NARASIMHANOne sees violence in society. Where does this comefrom? And why does it happen? One very strongreason for this could be that from the very childhoodthere is constant trouble, prodding, comparison andcompetition in a child’s life. Most schools promotecompetition and generally adults and peers, indulgein comparison.SIYA CHAUHANIn the Tehri Garhwal region of Uttarkhand the situationis very different.Problems have been created by modern education.Because with education has come thefeeling that a person fits only into a city lifestyle. If wehave to challenge the mainstream it has to be donedirectly and not piecemeal by addressing isolatedconcerns. To begin with, we have to first define whatwe understand by education.CHANDRASEKHAR DEVANAThe whole society including ourselves have notunderstood the vital role of different activities thathappen in a child’s life like spontaneous play, closeassociation with people, apparent whiling away oftime etc. Early growth experiences play a vital role inthe growth of the child.MUNIRA AMIRALIWe believe in textbooks more than in God. If inscience textbook it was written: be seated whiledrinking water, then it is more relevant and logicalbecause it is written in the textbook.CHANDRASEKAR DEVANAThe whole society is conditioned. All our perceptionsare blurred by the notion of school being theagency to deliver education. So we try to jugglearound, change the school our children are goingto, but not quit.AMINA KANJEESchools in Pakistan still use books that are 25 yearsold. There has been no significant revision. Essentiallythey do not want a change because of the prevailingmind set and they also do not want to acceptthat change and updating is required. It is not easyto break this circuit and since AKES works with themainstream we have to maintain a balance andkeep in mind parents’ aspirations and societaldemands.Pakistan has rich cultural resources. There is anindigenous knowledge base that is not incorporatedinto regular schools books. For example, I will beable to tell the botanical names of several trees inthe school campus but will fumble if asked the localnames.LILATAI PATILI have visited 26 schools between 2001 and 2002and talked to 1256 high school students. The treatmentthat is meted out to children is appalling. Thereis beating, punishment, ill treatment, no freedom toquestion. In fact a child sent an appeal to say - donot treat us as you treat cattle.The most serious of all problems in school iscompetition. All this is so very contradictory to what Ihave read in a small booklet on the rights of thechild published by UNICEF.NEEMA VAISHNAVACompared to children of Laxmi Ashram, today’syouth in the mainstream are chasing imaginarydreams of being elite professionals. The rationale isto make a good life for oneself with seldom anythought to larger social issues. How many are ableto achieve this dream is very debatable. The othersspend most of their life chasing illusions.