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W ith a gypsy we wandered about and gathered experiences in diverse kind of schools in Delhi and Chandigarh. We cannot lay any claim to being an authority, especially as intelligent and well- meaning men of all times have dealt with educational problems. But being partial layman in the realm of pedagogy, derive courage to expound opinions with no foundation except personal experience and personal conviction. The question what is education meant to you always tempted pe op le to be si le nt . Th en af te r a while they used to propound their definitions. For Gurukul like institution it was teaching medieval mannerism, what they call ‘Pashchatya Sanskriti’ , whereas for religious body like Madrasa it was be dutiful follower of Islam. The government schools were still struggling to define what education meant to them .And so-called high profiled schools were busy with their CCE (Comprehensive and Continuous Evaluation) and RTE ( Right to Education) Statistics, flashing their smart boards and labs in the yearly magazines and functions. CCE as talked earlier is an initiative by the Government of India to promote overall development of the students by inculcating activities like- debate, dance, sports, music, and art is now in the school curriculum. And RTE Act (2009) gives way to free and compulsory education to the students from 6-14 years of age. It isn’t result of instant decision and situation. Rather, Earlier in pa st so ci al re fo rme r l ik e J yo ti ba Rao Phule in 1882 was the first who debated for RTE, further in 1891 Maharaja Barbhang and Mahatma Gandhi in 1937 advocated it . It’s Article 21-A means that every child has a right to full time elementary education of satisfactory and equitable quality in a formal school which satisfies certain essential norms and standard. It came into effect in 1st April 2010 with a deadline of 3 years which ended on 1st April 2013.Sarvya Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA),Midday Meal Scheme around are the flagship pro gr ams of it w it h g oo d am ou nt of funds given by Union budget 2013. CCE like format holds no importance in many culturally and religiously made institutes. Besides this RTE which propels pr iv at e sc ho ol s to gi ve 25 % seats to underprivileged students is another problem for born with a silver spoon kids of these schools. Above all, a school with no bo un da ri es wa s se en un de r a metro station in the capital of India with shopkeepers as teachers. Teaching about decentralization in India said education for them is to produce students with capabilities and qualities to do welfare of commonwealth. And fortunately, we found one year old school in Chandigarh where blend of religious teaching, CCE, RTE and smart class accessories together made a kit. But a few like this were encountered. Words are and remain an empty sound, and the road to perdition has ever been accompanied by lip service to an ideal. But pe rs on al it ie s ar e no t fo rmed by what is heard and said, but by labor and activity. Schools along with teachers must understand the need to promote desiring ambitions and diligent work. Which isn’t possible by only ri th ki d l in be in g in tr od uc ed to sc ho ol curriculum is surrounded by many question marks. Few in the system themselves disregard it. A teacher of Jawahar Navodya Vidyalaya said "CCE is a very complex process which consumes a large amount of time of a teacher and adversely affects studies. He added "it discourages the academic competitive attitude in children”. Few other critics criticize it with reference to Cry report which depicts 90% of school demands admission proof which deprives orphan children from their r ights .Along with it ,Corruption in its implementation is one of the bi gg es t lo op ho le . As de ad li ne went off but data shows that many school doesn't meet the RTE requirement. While diving into the education system of India we were stuck underwater to come up with the solution but it’s completely true that a student is not to be treated as a ‘dead tool’. Rather a school is to have an aim that a child is to leave school with harmonious pe rs on al it y, no t as a sp ec ia li st . The pseudo-intellectuals won’t be tr ea te d an ywh er e as ev en th e students who have studied under lamp-post can become President of anation.Remember, no pen can write on it’s own and no school is the only weapon to victory.Rather, labor with activity is a way to study. It may sound old but hardwork still remains the key to success without technology to open the lock. peep into India’s education system Initiatives are taken to give equal opportinity to all. But different perspective to teach and learn exists in different corners of India. Close to School “No pen can write on its own, no school is the only weapon to accomplish victory. Rather labor with activity is a way to study” WRITERS: ASHWINDER KAUR ANKITA KUMARI
