Children must be taught how to think, not what to think.
— Margaret Mead.

Keeping this in mind, I decided to have a healthy discussion about ‘The importance of Education‘ with my students and the amount of enthusiasm they showed while giving the answers was overwhelming. Children today, understand the meaning of Education and the power it owns. I believe that, in order to understand school, we must understand the students and their needs. Among the numerous answers my students gave, I would like to present a few of them which define the Importance of Education.

Why is Education Important?

• It makes us literate
• Helps us determine the difference between right and wrong, hence helping in decision making
• Gives us a better future and life
• Brings in good job opportunities
• To spread education and awareness

But for education to come into existence, we need better schools which are equipped with the basic amenities which foster a better environment for students. In villages and remote areas, bad infrastructure, unavailability of basic facilities and poor classroom condition have led to a rapid decrease in the presence of students in schools and have hence, led to less opportunities for schools to flourish.

What are the factors involved in making a better school?

• Good Teachers
• Clean environment
• Transportation facilities
• Proper ventilation
• Decent electricity & Clean Water Supply
• Separate Washrooms for Boys and Girls

Education is the most powerful weapon we can use to change the world.
— Nelson Mandela

In January 2011, to help tackle this problem and bring about an ultimate solution, Coca-Cola India and NDTV launched the ‘Support My School‘ (SMS) public service campaign in association with UN-Habitat, Charities Aid Foundation (CAF) and other such partners. #SupportMySchool is a public-private partnership to empower underprivileged sections of society by providing the necessary water and sanitation facilities along with the basic infrastructure required in any school. Since its launch, several partners such as Plan India, Worldvision India, SRF Foundation and others have joined and strengthen the campaign.

IMPACT TILL DATE

• Over 600 schools already revitalized and work in another 200 schools underway.
• Approximately 200,000 children receive access to better sanitation, water, playing and other facilities
• In several schools enrolment figures show upward trend and also children’s attendance data.
• Panchayat, District Education Officers, Local elected officials, Teachers, Parents and Community members engaged across country.

 

With necessary amenities in place, schools will be able to provide a cleaner and healthier environment favorable for Learning.

Our simple step can contribute towards a better education system in India, which will not only benefit the schools in rural areas but also the overall setup of Education, Literacy and Development in India.

How can Non-Profit Organizations or other such organizations help and support in re-vitalizing schools?

• Scholarships and Funds
• Mid-day meal
• Health Education and Service
• Contribution for development of Playground, Laboratories and Libraries for students.
• Free Books to the under-privileged
• Proper Electricity and Clean water-supply
• Proper Sanitation Facilities

The whole purpose of education is to turn mirrors into windows.
— Sydney J Harris.