TOI : Educationists book portrays divide in edu : Nov 15,2007
Educationists book portrays divide in edu
TIMES NEWS NETWORK
Mumbai: Its autumn here, writes educationist Heramb Kulkarni as he compares the falling golden dry leaves to children in the backward districts of the state who drop out of schooling. Kulkarnis book released on Tuesday in the city is not fiction. But it reads like a tale that children with empty stomachs and minds starved of learning want to tell the world.
After traversing through 200 villages in Dhule, Nandurbar and other regions as well as interviewing thousands of children, Kulkarni has put together a book titled Shaala aaheshikshan nahi (theres a school but no education), which presents the challenges involved in improving primary education.
Kulkarni has also captured poignant images for the book, which are more meaningful than the textstudents cleaning vessels, substandard food being served in residential schools, teachers whiling away time outside the classroom while students wait expectantly. There were teachers who came drunk to classrooms, others who were teaching wrong arithmetic or spelling. I felt helpless; I felt like crying. But this is all I could do, said Kulkarni.
Despite crores of rupees flowing into the education sectorthis years union budget saw a jump in allocation for education to over Rs 24,000 crore Improvements in terms of a better quality of teaching remains an elusive goal.
The contrast between the two worlds that exist in India appear distinct even in case of education. Portraying the divide in his book, Kulkarni writes: In one part of the world, our children have the opportunity to study in schools at the Silicon Valley. Here, I see students missing schools and shooting birds in the valley.
Renowned IT professional Achyut Godbole who was present for the book launch, said that he had read the book and it did not leave him with a good feeling. There is so much data in the book. But at no point did I get bored while reading it. Every page had something shocking and I felt a large section of our children are missing out on quality education, said Godbole.
toireporter@timesgroup.com
Publication:TOI_Mumbai; Date:Nov 15, 2007; Section:Times City; Page Number:12