Day to day operations in india go on regardless of the weather or what's happening elsewhere in the world. Doesn't matter what job you have, it matters that you HAVE a job and one is happy to travel for it. Everyday shops open around 10am here for the general population. Either you're there at work, or you're just now heading into work. All I know is that the traffic heavily increases on the roads at that time of day. One would see carts on the road carrying their supplies to and from their residence to their own shop in another part of the city. All of this on the main road too!!! Cows, buffalo along with dogs, cats, carts, cars and scooters share the road with nothing but pleasant honking of the horns to let the one in front of you know that you wish to pass and to move over. Strangely, the animals seem to realize this too! No shouting, or pointing of fingers happen here, one kindly moves over with a nod and a smile.
Although honking in America is not heard often, my own two children don't seem to even notice how noisy it is now compared to "home". They don't stare or even bat an eye at the poverty around here. Now they are upset that the toy shop don't open till 10:00am! Haha!
Yesterday, I was granted permission to visit the local private school that my husband attended in his 11th and 12th grade standard. The school does split schooling with the older grades attending in the morning with the younger ones going in the afternoon. This school was used back in the late 1800s to early 1900s as horse stables. Now converted into a school the doors remain the same. Nothing has changed but adding desks and chalk boards to the equation. Seriously the school is OPEN and accessible only by walking outside. Not closed schools like we have in the USA.
During my time of visitation, the grades attending were LKG (lower kindergarten) and SKG (senior kindergarten) through grade 2. What we would call pre-k and kindergarten. Inside these small classrooms sat small two person desks, a small desk for a teacher and a chalkboard. Not the new smartboards that we now put in our public schools. No computers per classroom, no crayons to color. Just pencils and paper. The children were cautious to acknowledge my presence and looked to their teacher for guidance. I observed the classroom from the back and the teacher started to teach. These children were NOT learning Hindi or other regional language. They were learning numbers 1-20 on the chalkboard. On their desks sat a worksheet on the letters H, I, J & K that had previously been used for another lesson and they were using the back of the sheet. (all about recycling here). I had my son Aryan with me. And he also took note at how small these desks were and was shocked to see these children learning with so little. No books for them to open. Just a two person desk and the children excited to learn! But attending this school is a privilege. The entrance fee is 1250 rupees, which is around $25.00 a month. The school is paid on "terms". First term's fee was 6000 rupees, which is around $150.00 for six months. So total yearly is around $325.00 including entrance fee. This school which is called Baroda High School, was one of the most prestigious schools around during my husband's time. Apparently it still is considered the top school in the city. In regards to admissions to this school, they are hard to come by. A school with an excellent reputation often has many applicants. Sometimes children are turned away, but if one knows the right people and has enough money to pay...one can often attend regardless how bad or mischievous the child is! (my husband was one of those children!) It often is who you know and the social status of your family that keeps a family ahead. So it's very difficult to get ahead if you are already poor and uneducated in India. All goes back to the roots of the family.
Getting back to the children.....
Some classes were outside rehearsing for an upcoming performance for their families to see at a later date. They were dancing and singing so joyfully! Others were in classrooms learning in unison on chalkboards. A very simplistic approach goes a long way in India. At the end of their education, these children will walk away with the best education offered in this small local town. Often attending the most prestigious colleges in India.
In India, there ARE public schools, but the quality of the education one receives there isn't the best. If a family has money at all, they will send their child to a private school. Education is VERY important here and school is 6 days a week here as well! Private schools are a thriving business here as many parents of higher society wish to send their kids to the best. A LOT of competition here considering the population. You have to stand out SOMEHOW!
What I did find amazing, was that all these children regardless of their backgrounds, go and play with each other. Fly kites, laugh and just enjoy childhood. Later on in life are they reminded about socialization among their peers. Only thing that separates these children (from what I can see when two children are playing) is their after school clothes.
Stepping outside of this school, one sees poverty in which obviously separates the well off people from the day to day strugglers. Outside is makeshift shacks with dogs and pigs rummaging through trash. Yet there are children playing and enjoying the day with a smile on their face. One has to use the restroom, so he just lifts up his shirt and pees where he is standing and runs off to play. No pants, shoes or underwear on! But to him, it was normal!
I stepped out to take some pictures to document my journey.
(pics to come soon!)
