They know that they want to learn: 700 girl students invoked the legacy of Gandhi … and won their right to education – Rajasthan

JOSEPH RENY & NIKHIL DEY, SUNDAY MAGAZINE, The Hindu, November 1, 2014 | Read the full story here >>
How 700 students of a government school in Rajasthan invoked the legacy of Gandhi on October 2 and won their right to education.
On Teachers’ Day (September 5), the Prime Minister of India decided to be the ‘teacher of teachers’ and addressed students across the country. On Gandhi Jayanti (October 2), he repackaged the legacy of and invoked ‘The father of the nation’. Netas and babus across the country suddenly became conscious of the need for swachhata (hygiene) and started sweeping streets; with each stroke of the broom choreographed for cameras and reporters. School children were brought out in rallies, parroting slogans they hardly comprehended.
So when on October 2, the residents and shopkeepers in Bhim, Rajasthan, heard schoolgirls shouting slogans, they paid little attention. They thought it was another swachhata rally. But, as the words became clearer and the rally was sighted, people were drawn out of their homes and shops by the palpable difference: this was a real protest march.
About 500 girls, in neat uniforms, marched down the street, holding a banner and placards, enthusiastically shouting slogans. They were not instigated by any political leader or group, and their demand was simple and straightforward: to appoint teachers in their school as per government norms. By the time they went through the town, they had gained people’s sympathy and support; an unusual and important form of civil disobedience had begun. […]
About 700 girls, from Std. IX to XII study there, but the number of teaching staff is just three. The Principal’s post has been vacant for eight years and one teacher is the acting Principal. There is no teacher for basic subjects like Mathematics, Science, History, Geography, Hindi and Sanskrit. The 11 first grade teacher posts have been vacant since the school was upgraded around 10 years ago. […]
Since the children of most public officials study in private schools, the government schools’ poor condition and the future of their students does not affect the officials personally. Many of the government school students come from very poor families. They travel around 15-20 km to school and spend around Rs.20 on daily transport.
Feeling frustrated and helpless, on the eve of Gandhi Jayanti, a few students sought the help of Shankar Singh, a senior activist of the Mazdoor Kisan Shakti Sangathan (MKSS) in Bhim. He tried to persuade them to get their parents to petition the government authorities and begin a dialogue. But the students knew that since most of their parents were daily wage workers, they would not be able to leave their work and begin a dialogue with a set of intimidating officials — the results of which they were sceptical about in any case. So, the students successfully convinced Shankar Singh and the MKSS to provide guidance and moral support. […]
The slogans were innovative and striking, the girls disciplined and determined. The authorities tried to dissuade them. The police told them that they would ruin their padhai (education). The girls retorted, “What padhai is there to be ruined? […]
Realising that the girls would not relent, the officer promised that Mathematics and Hindi teachers would be appointed within a week. The students made it clear that if teachers were not appointed by October 7, they would again lock the school gate, and flock to the BDO’s office.
By October 7, no teachers were appointed. On October 8, the girls locked the school gate and sat outside in the sun refusing to accept assurances and open the gates. […]
One week after October 2, disciplined civil disobedience had produced amazing results. More importantly, there are reports of similar protests in the neighbouring blocks of Dewair, Amet and Todgarh. The girls have said they are determined to make this a turning point and make their school stand out as an example of student and citizen action for the right to schooling. They know that they want to learn, but cannot do it on their own.
What will we, the privileged people, do to help make the right to education a reality for all girls and boys in India? The girls in Bhim would be delighted to know.
The authors work with the MKSS in rural Rajasthan.

Source: When the girls came marching in – The Hindu
Address : http://www.thehindu.com/features/magazine/when-the-girls-came-marching-in/article6552415.ece
Date Visited: Sat Nov 22 2014 12:18:37 GMT+0100 (CET)

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