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Chapter 06
What does common man thinks about education?
K: I wish to share my views on Education system from the perspective of village people. You know that I travel a lot.
I will tell now a few interesting discussions that I chanced to over- hear.
All that Glitter is not Gold !
For a any poor labourer or a farmer, Higher Education, glitters like gold.
1. A villager: I am a farmer. My life was a struggle. As a farmer, excess rain or failed monsoon, early rains or belated rains - all of them will play spoilsport. These would wipe-off our several months of efforts, investment on labor, fertilizer and seeds.
After crossing all the hurdles, if there is a good harvest the prices will fall and not many buyers can be found.. Short production will not meet our needs for a normal life. Traders will pay normal price, horde them and make a big fortune.
We wanted that our children to be free from uncertain life of a farmer, that we have lead.. A couple of children from this village made it to Government jobs. One went abroad and earns a lot of money.
Many others in the village send their children for higher education. We sold the land to educate my children. Now our land is gone. The children are running around for jobs for the last four years without any success. We are doomed.
For middle class people, business or running an enterprise, Glitters
2. A town Couple: A middle class couple, seated in a bus, that was waiting for more passengers, were discussing.
Wife: (to her husband:) Our elder son wants Rs 5 Lakhs to start a business.
Husband: I work as a clerk in Government. I cannot indulge in taking bribes, for fear of God. Where do I go for such a large sum? Even if I raise, what would he do with it?
Wife: He wants to start a business with it?
Husband: Business is not all about investment alone. Every business has its own problems. It looks easy and manageable from outside, It is not all who started as a novice failed and at the same time, not all who started succeeded too.
For the past three generations, we are living on the strength of the Pen. We are fit only to be clerks of one type or the other. Education is the only way to survive. Business people are successful when they inherit it from their father and forefather.
Wife: The boy pleads that he is unable to cope-up with the studies, How can you compel him to take-up higher education when he finds it difficult?
Husband: Then, let him take up an employment befitting his knowledge and skills in a small business unit. . If he has a flair and strong urge he will make it with fund raised by his own efforts.
My experience tell me, one cannot choose business because education eludes one. The ability to run a business should be proved or established before one takes it up..
Very few understand that, all that glitters is not Gold
3. Two villagers, visiting a small town discussing in a bus stop.
First person: Why did you not send your son to college?
Second person: Only one out of 100 students from villages succeed in getting employment, after higher education.
We see one success in our neighborhood. Then every one jump-in, Five years ago a boy studied in a college in Chennai. He became an engineer. The company where he worked sent him to America.
Year after year more and more children are sent for higher education. . It is a lot of risk. Excepting big land lords and business people no one can really afford that huge fees to the college, the food, accommodation, books, computer, dress and other expenses.
Even those working in Bank and Government take bank loan to send their children for higher education.
Our villagers, send their children by selling all their worth. Some barrow over and above. Some children get some employment and the story ends happily. It is not true with all the children.
Even after education children stay in cities and demand money for training and living. Some of them get job after one two or three years. most of others do not get anything ever after that.
We are blind to reality. We do not learn a lesson from those hundreds of youngsters who run around for years for a job. But see the success of one or two and chase the mirage.
They continued the discussions I moved on.