A little background - the spouse of a colleague of mine (let us call my colleague ABC, and spouse TheSpouse, to conceal their identities) – got job as a teacher in a state-school at elementary level. TheSpouse is a post graduate in science – I don’t remember Physics, Chemistry, Biology, or some other applied-science type majors, but that humble job won’t really provide the opportunities to showcase the skills acquired over such a difficult academic journey over all these years. I, being a water-cooler buddy of ABC, have to hear laments on all this.
Although the school is slightly far, at a non-commutable distance on daily basis, but they’re not really willing to leave that job for some other career in non-state sectors – because this job is "secure". Not a bad approach, given the tough economic times we have had in not so recent past, most of us are likely to do the same – that at least one of family member can keep getting a regular, consistent income. But what I find troublesome is that TheSpouse never goes to the school. And after a long, paid hiatus, visits to offices and maybe, obeisances to a few politicians too, they are trying to get transfer to a school near to their home, and surprise - there too TheSpouse won’t go. Instead, they will provide a cut – some 10 to 20% – to the other teacher, with 80-90% still left to themselves…or even a 50% won’t be that bad. That colleague will mark TheSpouse’s daily attendances’ and will inform TheSpouse to come to school if any authority cares to inspect that going concern termed as a school by the government.
I, being a “friend” of ABC, have a gall to dissuade them from doing this unethical activity…but replies range from (harmless / routine) everybody does that so why not we, to the most outrageous one I have mentioned above. ABC said “Hey, they are not schools. In earlier days they had classes under a tree, now just four walls have been erected. But does that make a school? No..ooo. (Now emphatically and loudly) don’t worry that is not even a school…”!
I couldn’t hear rest of the ramblings - I was left speechless and I dared not to discuss it further. But, if a teacher does not believe that it is a school, then who else would? I, never, in my life have, knowingly, come face to face with a person with such degraded moral ethics. The children there are getting deprived of, probably, their only chance to get educated, to be a contributing part of the society.
And this statement - coming out from a person with fair academic achievements, a cozy job , an educated, middle-class background with a lot of exposure to multiple cultures across India, and abroad as well (through work) is appalling!
Well…the usual helpless, here I am. All I did was to unfriend ABC & TheSpouse on Facebook...and now I am trying to avoid conversations with ABC too - as much as possible…in a persistent fear that I too might catch this repulsive germ!
No wonders that a large chunk of our population is still illiterate, and that we are a doomed 3rd world country – whatever we claim to be – Superpower in making or any other grandiose claim, with such people around - we are nothing, but super losers!
PS - A few days back I found that this gentleman - ABC - used to contribute to "Sponsor a child's education for a year" programme of the place where I work. Basically it is like you pay INR 6,000/- to sponsor one year's education expenditure for a kid somewhere...does that make it even?
PS - A few days back I found that this gentleman - ABC - used to contribute to "Sponsor a child's education for a year" programme of the place where I work. Basically it is like you pay INR 6,000/- to sponsor one year's education expenditure for a kid somewhere...does that make it even?
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