Social Documentary

Don’t I have education?-A Social Documentary by Bharathi Krishna Kumar- Need of the hour

Ever since independence, education has been the most neglected sector in India. Many committees and commissions have been tried in vain to review the existing system of education to make it more responsive to human needs. Nothing tangible has been achieved in sixty five years and education today is as far removed from day-to -day life as it was in pre- independence India.   

Elementary education has remained basically a mirage and has not been realized properly. School buildings are non-existent in Dalit and tribal areas, and in remote villages. In some villages, schools are used as stop-gap cattle shelters. Teachers and the study materials they provide are not up-to-date. Primary education is also in a shamble. Poor parents and students are not properly motivated to avail of the available educational facilities. It is imperative that the existing system of education must be revamped immediately if it is to have any sense in today’s life. 

Even after 65 years of independence, India, the greatest democracy, is still struggling with its educational policy.  It is high time that we should have a uniform education system all over the country. The basic needs of every Indian irrespective of class, caste etc is to get uniform education by which class concept will be eliminated and everybody can get better education. If we have uniform education, poor children can also get better education along with the other different sections of population. Caste and Gender discrimination in education sector will also be reduced. Government institutions will get brighter students, who are now going to private schools with an illusion that they provide quality and better education. Uniform education system will proceed towards sustainable education, which may lead to a stronger socio-economic system.

India is ‘shining’, but with a population of over a million poor students denied the right to quality education, the socio-economic progress is lop-sided. While one part of India is a vibrant economy, inequality is a major social problem.  Faced with no options where they live, many with money/power migrate to urban areas in search of schools and better education opportunities; by living in slums the poor end up without the basic education. Most of the children from the rural areas have never seen the inside of the so called state-of- the- art classroom. Of those who go to school, the dropout rate is high.

Shame on a nation that couldn’t provide its citizens free quality education! Don’t I have education?-this documentary film by Bharathi Krishna Kumar focuses on the need for free quality education for all. This film will be an eye-opener for all who /half bakedly/blindly/selfishly oppose uniform education for all and will persuade people to fight for the right to uniform education.

I personally congratulate Comrade. Bharathi Krishna Kumar on his campaign for uniform education with his third social documentary. Earlier he has produced Ramaiyavin Kudisai  -Based on Keelavenmani Massacre, and Endru Thaniyum-Based on Kumbakonam School Fire tragedy.

Copies of the documentary can be had from: Bharathi KrishnaKumar, Rainbow Info Media, 7/4, Seventh Street (Ground Floor), Dasarathapuram, Saligramam, Chennai-600093. Ph: 044-23767990