(Written while I worked with Rumi Education)
I am Veena. I work for Rumi Educations in the capacity of Academic Manager. My role comprises of visits to local schools recognized by the State Boards and train the teachers on Rumi products which are meant to benefit the product – the students, and our mission is to enhance the quality of education in schools. The teaching methodology is fun-filled, and lessons are taught in a play-way method.
I never carried a great impression on the state board run schools because of rote memorization and long hours of study. My visits to such schools have added fuel to my perception. This is just one experience – maybe and hopefully an isolated case.
Not completely against it, coz these schools have really struggled to carve out gems.
I visit schools-go to the nursery, pre-nursery, LKG, UKG, and standards 1st to 3rd respectively. What do I see there- 30-40 kids, all crammed up in small small rooms-that neither have proper ventilation, nor any air or sunlight. The places stink, and the little kids are made to sit and learn, read and write, even eat and sleep in these morbid surroundings for an entire day right from 8.30 in the morning to 4.30 in the evenings – a solid 8 hr schedule. There are kids who can’t utter a single word, aged 2-3 years-with running noses, and eyes that should be filled with awe and dreams are filled with tears. There are teachers who are hardly qualified, holding long sticks in their hands.
Go inside and you find kids trying to wipe out their tears with their small little hands – untidy and smeared with dust, cheeks smudged with tears, their shirts coming out of their shorts and skirts – their innocent eyes trying to vent out their unsaid feelings, tears rolling down the pink cheeks, hearts yelling to go back home, and craving for a little more love, care and attention in the school – but helpless they are, they are spanked and they cry.
The primary classes are all jam-packed-nothing short of a fish market – teachers shouting at the top of their voices, going hoarse- and in the noise and din, amidst utter confusion, rote memorization – No roots for creativity or independent thinking – no space for the dear little ones.
What is holistic education, then, I ponder. “Minds are like parachutes – they work best when open.”, but where is the space and freedom given to these children to learn, to explore – to bring out their latent talent? How will they build a rosy future? A very pathetic and deplorable sight that fills me with guilt, anguish and remorse! Education is commercialized – the basic amenities are lacking in schools.
I stand there – helpless, I can’t utter a word – ask the management to stop corporal punishment because my job is something else-my role is not this – I need to train the teachers.
Who is to be blamed for this pathetic state of affairs? -The parents – it is they who must raise their voices, but no. – The teachers-how else can they control these noisy kids? – The Management – how else will they make money?
I am shattered. I do my part. I come back home, in the bus, I keep thinking-Where is India coming to? Are we really imparting quality education to our kids?
But yes, one thing I’m happy about- Thanks to Rumi-Thanks to GENKI English-the kids are happy at least for those few hours when we visit the school on behalf of Rumi. Rumi is doing its part in spreading miles of smiles. But is my mission accomplished?