Is money the judge of education?

The bicycle bell made my head shoot right up from the book I was submerged in. The newspaper boy was late, as usual. I made a beeline for the gate and grabbed The Hindu daily before it was snatched away by someone else. My eyes fell on the advertisement of University of Cambridge International Examinations. I browsed the internet and got some information on these. Seeing that there were opportunities for kids my age, I made a phone call to one of their branches in Chennai. But I was in for a disappointment, however, because I was informed that these were only for students who were studying in international schools affiliated to Cambridge. I was directed that I join one such school if I wanted to participate. Now, the question arises. Am I not eligible just because I don’t go to an international school?

International schools passed, sorry, passes like the snips off from movies, leaving vivid memories in vague minds. They pass as yet another unrealized dream in the lives of ordinary students. What should be thought of this- as an unrealized dream for better education? Opportunities are very little. Shouldn’t education be equal everywhere? This variation in opportunities is what makes a lot of talents go undiscovered. Rural areas are often remote. Urbanization and industrialization are still alien at some places. The people may not be advanced in lifestyle, but they have out-grown most of the old man’s views. They are not mere spectators of modernity anymore. They are part of it. It is the same way with education also. The peasant also wishes his kids to have the best education as an industrialist too. But something stands in the way of this. That something is in most cases, the on letter-word with a thousand meanings- money.

There are a lot of institutions that offer many opportunities, but most people are not eligible for it. This is because of the background of their education. In most cases, money, and not talent is given importance. This causes many students to lose a chance to make use of their talents. Education and educational institutions should provide to be equal to everyone. Everyone should have equal opportunities in education and talent should be the reason at which the worthiness is decided. We are people of the world’s greatest democracy, yet we face such situations where the plight of most students is much pitiable. The government should, in my view, make sure that opportunities are given to those that are deprived of it, because everyone has the right to it. Because, everyone counts.

Aiswarya T Anish,

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