Wednesday, September 19, 2007

To my girls at Red Cross Government High School

This writing is inspired by my students. Their blank stares and blank answer sheets. This is a message, an appeal to my students on what education can do for them.


Dear Girls,

It is important to be educated because Education makes you aware of your rights in a society. It also gives you the courage and the means to fight for them. In fact, in most cases, you don’t even have to fight. You get what you deserve and what is yours. Education teaches you to treat every human with respect. Respecting people for what they are, and not because they belong to a particular religion, caste or status. It gives you the confidence to live life on your own terms, at the same time by respecting the emotions and opinions of those that are close to you.

It also teaches little things like civic sense, preserving the environment, taking care of your health by exercising and eating healthy food. It gives you the ability to make your own decisions, be it choosing a field of study, deciding on a career, or choosing a person to marry. The freedom to do any of these comes only with 'education’.


It gives you the confidence to present yourself. Become independent. And in many ways people become dependent on you. You understand the things happening around you, and are able to participate in social, economic, and political debates of your interest.

Education gives the ability to make informed decisions and form well thought out, independent opinions. Ability to contribute more to society since you better understand how it works and what it lacks. –A more active role in building and maintaining the society and civilization.


When you are educated, people respect you.

When you are educated, you have a voice, a voice for others too.


Your teacher.

Wednesday, September 5, 2007

Red ribbons and plaits

I conducted the first unit test today despite resistance from some of the students. Everyone hates exams, including my students! so I decided to treat them with some photos and a video. They were so pleased with the idea that they actually started waving and smiling ...I had to literally force them to 'pretend' to be writing. Take a look...
40 girls in total, but only 33 were present today.


One of my favorite students. She proudly showed me her mehendi (the print on her hand) She must have done for the festival yesterday.

I love the way the girls wear their hair. Everyone of them neatly plaits her hair and tie it up with those red ribbons. It's a part of the school uniform. It seems elder sisters and moms help with the styling.


I did the writing on the blackboard and surprisingly not many of them have problems reading it. I consider that as an achievement :)
Powered By Blogger