We all have an equal right to education
To learn from it, one needs determination
Education for all can be simple, yet priceless
Let's not complicate it and make it worthless
Mother nature was the source for it in primitive days
Learn we did by experiencing it in multiple ways
Apply, learning, we did, to domesticate and settle
Multiply we did, yet, thrived with little
Learn we did by experiencing it in multiple ways
Apply, learning, we did, to domesticate and settle
Multiply we did, yet, thrived with little
With passage of time we moved into civilization
Learning too, kept its pace sans any realization
To industries we went to work and earn
Schools we created for our children to learn
Learning too, kept its pace sans any realization
To industries we went to work and earn
Schools we created for our children to learn
To spread it far and wide it got standardized
In that process did learning get compromised?
Industry it became and many built an empire
In that process did learning get compromised?
Industry it became and many built an empire
A factory that churned out victims of despair
Among them, lived a few known for their philanthropy
Shared they did their learning and philosophy
Business, it was not for them; our right to education
Lead by example they did for the next generation
Education for all, now, comes at a price
If you want nature in it, expect a steep rise
Education for all can be simple, yet priceless
Why complicate it and make it worthless?
Education for all can be simple, yet priceless
Why complicate it and make it worthless?
We are born with creativity and imagination
Let's explore more and upskill for innovation
Choice we have to either learn or churn
Let's follow our passion, till comes our turn.
Let's explore more and upskill for innovation
Choice we have to either learn or churn
Let's follow our passion, till comes our turn.
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©Balaji Palanidurai
This poem is inspired by events over last few weeks where I have been engaged in various discussion about the state of current education system and how the standardized approach is churning our graduates who find themselves lacking in employable skills!
Education now is a big industry and in developing countries this is big business. I was stunned by fees some school charge for kinder garden and more in the name of nature trips and studies! Is it really worth it? But, what is the alternative? In a nuclear family that has both parents aspiring to excel in life they decide to send their kids to schools to be churned out along with million others.
If a small percentage of those parents chose to home school their children and coach them to pursue a passion - in sports, arts or even farming, I am sure life will be very rewarding for them and their children will love them for that freedom.
The last line of the poem was inspired by the Gully boy (#gullyboy) movie I happened to see over the weekend "Apna time ayega..."
