Seven-year-old Esha bubbles with excitement as she makes her way home to Trilokpuri from school every afternoon. She can't wait to recite the poems that she has learnt during the day to her mother Manju. School bag swinging and eyes bright, Esha radiates an enthusiasm for learning, little realising that her mother does not understand a word of English.
"English is my favourite subject and I want to become a doctor," says Esha shyly. Her parents have promised her every effort to help realise her dreams. "The journey from our Trilokpuri slum cluster to Queen Mary School was not easy, and we understand that helping her become a doctor is also a virtually impossible task. But we will try our best," says an optimistic Satish, Esha's electrician father.
Esha's elder brother Kishan who also studies under the freeship quota, but in Evergreen Public School, found it difficult to cope with private school in the beginning. "Initially, I tried to stay back at home as I could not follow the teachers and classmates who only spoke in English. But gradually, things improved and now, I love going to school," says Kishan.
Sandeep and Suman, students of Class I and III respectively, wake up early each morning to be at the bus stop on time. And every day, they are accompanied by their father, Manoj Das, a driver by profession. Unlike other children of their age, going to school takes on a whole new dimension for these two. It is not about fun and games, with a bit of studies thrown in. It's more about doing well in exams and making their parents proud. "We were studying in a local school till two years ago. But I know how difficult it has been for our parents to get us admitted to Starex International. I want to fulfill their dreams by doing well in exams," says a confident Suman who stood first in the final exams last year and also won prizes for her painting skills.
Her brother, though not as articulate, also wants to do well. Asked what is wish is for Children's Day, he answers: "For me, speaking in English is important because if I can do that, I will get a good job, which is my dream."
Fourteen-year old Rohit from the same school also has similar dreams. "On this day, more kids like us should get admitted in big schools. This will make November 14 more meaningful," says Rohit. Till Class VIII, Rohit, one of three children of Sushila, who works as a maid in Vasundhara Enclave, studied in a local school. This year, he got admitted to Starex with the help of Social Jurists, a forum which helps underprivileged children get admission. "Initially, catching up with the rest of the class was not easy but my teachers and friends helped me," says Rohit, who wants to be a pilot. He adds: "If I can't become a pilot, I want to become a flight steward. I want my mother to travel at least once by air."
For four-year old Khushi Sharma, daughter of Rakesh, who repairs air-conditioners in LNJP Hospital, "drawing" and "colouring" are the exciting things to do in school. "I love colouring trees, flowers and mountains," she says. Rakesh, however, has other plans: "I want my daughter to be one of the women doctors in the hospital."
Many children like her have been admitted to various public schools in the city under the 20% quota for underpriviliged children. "In the past few years, we have integrated around 500 children from the weaker sections into the mainstream and they have been doing extremely well. We conduct remedial teaching classes and one to one discussion with the students to understand where they are slipping as far as academics are concerned. At the same time, we also try and identify their strengths in extra-curricular activities to ensure they excel in those areas," says Shyama Chona, principal, DPS (R K Puram), which runs a special school for underprivileged children, Anubha Siksha Kendra (ASK). Recently, students of ASK and RK Puram staged two plays which was much appreciated. Chona feels that more such children should be given a chance. "There is a need to raise hopes in such kids and give them space to dream and also help them to get their dreams fulfilled," she says. Talking about one such bright child in his school, Bal Bharati Public School (Gangaram Hospital Marg) principal L V Sehgal says: "Mansi Bisht, a daughter of one of our peons studying in Class II, wins honours in all inter-school activities. There are many like her who are growing up together with the others from financially sound backgrounds but they love and respect each other."
Source: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/
Forget yourself for others, and others will never forget you.
No comments:
Post a Comment