A Day with Teach for India

A Day with Teach for India

I was delighted when my friend Tarun asked me if I would like to volunteer for teaching a class in a MCD school in Delhi as part of the Teach For India week that is being observed from 27^th to 31^st Jan 2014. Teach for India is a project of Teach to Lead, a not for profit organization,  launched in 2008, with a mission to create leaders to make education more equitable.

Teach for India selects college graduates and young professionals as TFI professionals who commit to teach full time in selected under staffed teachers. Presently Teach for India has more than 700 fellows across Mumbai, Pune, Delhi, Hyderabad and Chennai. Delhi has around 180 fellows and I had the opportunity to talk to this group regarding the work that I do earlier this month.

Today, as part of the Teach for India week, I was taken to Nigam Pratibha Primary School in Tughlaqabad Extension. The school has a nice building with huge compound with around 1200 students and 22 teachers. However, the complex is running 5 schools presently as some of the nearby school buildings are under renovation. Two schools with almost 2200 children were running when I was there. Other schools function in afternoon shift.

Well, I was taken to the class that is run by Hemant Bhalla, who is a Teaching Fellow for almost a year and plans to write Civil Services Examination. Night before, I has thought that I will be talking to the Grade 3 students in Hindi and was mentally preparing myself for the same. This class had almost 35 girl students and I was surprised to observe that all of them greeted me in English, very enthusiastically.  Hemant also had given the structure of my class on the Blackboard, all in English and it helped me to structure my thoughts and go along.

I was impressed by the awareness levels and the questions put up to me. Two girls asked me about how one can become a Cardiologist! A few others wanted to know of the ways to become Engineers, Doctors, Teachers, IAS officers, Police officers, Scientists and more. 8-9 year olds asking such questions was really interesting. I was flummoxed when a girl asked me as to what I wanted to become when I was a 8 year old. I remembered my days when a Pilots profession appeared too fascinating to me, and told her about that. Next question was then why did I join IAS and not chase my dream!!

However, what really made me speechless when I was asked by a girl as to why do Boys use bad words with girls? She then asked me as to why is it that Boys have more power? I explained to them about how girls today are at forefront in all professions. She was quick to ask me, what if a boy hits them? I told her to hit back and not to take things lying down.

Seems a workshop against sexual abuse was conducted by some local police officers, a few days back, in the school.  The girls were advised not to accept chocolates or gifts from strangers. A girl asks me, why should we not accept such things? I told them it is not safe. Next question was what if someone known to them gives them something? Given the fact that most cases of abuse are by people known to kids, I told them that they should tell their parents or teachers about it. Secondly, one should never accept something which is not earned. Another girl asks me, Why do people try to lure them? I had no answers.

It’s such a sorry state of affairs when 8 year olds have to be told against this menace that exists in our society? Whom do we blame? Our social structures, films or the way we bring up our boys?

Anyways, the questions continued and I explained to them about various arms of the Government and how it functions. I also told them one of my favourite stories – that of the Rabbit and Turtle – albeit the extended version. The kids seemed to enjoy the story. I ended my talk with lessons that one can earn from a humble pencil. We could have continued longer, but I was told that it was time for the mid-day meal.

Overall, it was a very satisfying experience. It changed my perception of MCD Schools. The schools have good infrastructure and the quality of education being imparted is decent. The children are from poor backgrounds but are no less compared to any public school kid. The questions about abuse and the problems girl students face made me see the underbelly of our society. It’s sad and shocking. However, the saving grace was that the girls are not shy to ask questions and generally appeared to be alert and aware. It was obvious that the Teach for India fellows have made a mark.

A truly satisfying and enriching day.