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"If we are to teach real peace in this world, and if we are to carry on a real war against war, we shall have to begin with the children."
M K Gandhi
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EDUCATION
Sample Projects:
- Teaching English
- Open Aired Roadside Classrooms for Street Kids
- Classroom Cultural Exchange (Rural & Urban)
- Teaching Frisbee or Simple Games to Kids
- Teaching basic computer applications
Throughout much of the world, having the opportunity to have a basic education is not an option. And India is no exception. The literacy rates vary throughout India from state to state and from areas within states. States such as Kerela in South India are known for very high literacy rates while the opposite is true for the state of Bihar, in the North.
Millions of children all across India have only one option, and those are Municipal Schools, which are run down buildings with no facilities, no books, and less than inspired teachers. A big factor when looking at education is MOTIVATION to be educated. Many children living in the slums or in villages simply have no motivation to be educated. Many of them need to earn money to contribute to the overall family income; hence, they start working from a very young age. The basic financial needs are in direct competition with going to school.
A second factor is LACK OF OPPORTUNITY. Because of the social structure in Indian society, often times even if a child is educated, he/she really does not have an opportunity in society. They will always be viewed within the context of their environment and thus are only granted certain types of work. If you live in poverty, you do not have the luxury of opportunity granted to others.
OUTDATED SYSTEM OF EDUCATION. Most students in India attend crowded and overcrowded classrooms and listen to lectures given by teachers. The primary method of assessment is 3 exams given throughout the year. If you are sick during your final exam week, even if you had a death in the family, there are no exceptions. Your final grade is simply your final grade. It is a system that causes many teenagers to take drastic steps such as committing suicide because of poor grade results.
TGU believes that education exists both inside the classroom and outside through life experience. Therefore, a TGU volunteer brings a tremendous amount of energy and human capital to kids who are not provided with even the very basics. There is only so much English a volunteer can teach in a period of only 3 weeks. However, it is much more than English; it is about the ‘transfer’ of that human capital. It is not necessary to be a teacher or to have educational background for a project assignment in education. TGU offers a diverse array of volunteerism that seeks to inspire both the student and the volunteer.
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