Education in India
The last few days has been filled with discussions about education, English and the future of our boys. School here is very different than school in our developed countries. “Going to school” in India simply means the students are given the requirements of each subject, and then students go buy their own books, and hopefully find (and can afford) a “coach” or “tutor” to help them study, or they study on their own. As students complete their studies for the school year (mostly independent) students pass the grade by taking a final exam. Because the final exam takes a lot of study, the students are not required to actually GO to school for 3-5 months before their exam so they can study independently. (Anup spent this time working in the fields, and did not take his final exam yet) So in the months leading up to their final exams, they do not actually ATTEND class!! CRAZY!
Regular school goes to tenth grade. 11th and 12th grade are considered optional and are called “college”. These two years are intended to prepare students for a 4 year University. (however, these two years have NO math included). These two years of “college” run 11-3:30, with a lunch break, and have LOTS of “holidays”. Currently, the college is closed because they are painting, students go back in a week.
There are two different English institutions here. The best plan is to attend institution at the same time you are going to College to improve your English. India has 1600 different languages, and English is the common one that is needed to get around here, as well as outside the country. It is also the language that is most likely to set these boys up for any sort of success. If you do not have good English, you have absolutely no chance of bettering your station in life. (ps these boys LOVE email, if any of you would like to correspond with them just let me know! It is a great help to their English as well.)
The plan is that the boys will spend the next two years in much more organized and structured education setting than usual, and be well prepared to attend University in Delhi in 2008. Anup will be one year behind the other three. It is a plan fraught with difficulties, cultural distractions and challenges. We have coordinated a good support structure for them with both Siddartha and the tutor, and now it is up to them. I have high hopes that they will continue to break the chain of their casts and improve the world around them as well. I wish I could do more, and, I am hopeful.
Regular school goes to tenth grade. 11th and 12th grade are considered optional and are called “college”. These two years are intended to prepare students for a 4 year University. (however, these two years have NO math included). These two years of “college” run 11-3:30, with a lunch break, and have LOTS of “holidays”. Currently, the college is closed because they are painting, students go back in a week.
There are two different English institutions here. The best plan is to attend institution at the same time you are going to College to improve your English. India has 1600 different languages, and English is the common one that is needed to get around here, as well as outside the country. It is also the language that is most likely to set these boys up for any sort of success. If you do not have good English, you have absolutely no chance of bettering your station in life. (ps these boys LOVE email, if any of you would like to correspond with them just let me know! It is a great help to their English as well.)
The plan is that the boys will spend the next two years in much more organized and structured education setting than usual, and be well prepared to attend University in Delhi in 2008. Anup will be one year behind the other three. It is a plan fraught with difficulties, cultural distractions and challenges. We have coordinated a good support structure for them with both Siddartha and the tutor, and now it is up to them. I have high hopes that they will continue to break the chain of their casts and improve the world around them as well. I wish I could do more, and, I am hopeful.
posted by Kim at Monday, October 16, 2006
1 Comments:
"I wish I could do more, and, I am hopeful." There is no larger or greater gift than the heart, 'doing more' is measured too often in the here-and-now where the memories of a heart touching your human soul last a lifetime. Raven Man
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