As we celebrate the festival of light, I would like to share some thoughts about the symbolism of light. Light stands for hope, optimism, clarity and is revered in all religions. The light of knowledge is spread through education.
Knowledge is the one thing which differentiates man from animals. Endowed with knowledge, mankind has the responsibility to make good use of it and spread it in a fair manner. In our contemporary world, knowledge is disseminated through books, newspaper, the media and the Internet amongst others. We live in an age in which we are overloaded with information. Education has undertaken a major transformation and even led to the democratization of education through online degrees and MOOCs.
Helping children succeed in their education is one of the main goals of ELI Africa because we believe that each child has the right to gain good grades and do well in their studies. Unfortunately, education has become an elitist system in which only the brightest and highest achievers are at the fore front and those pupils with learning difficulties are made the victims of the educational system. Education, the lamp lighting up the minds of people, is being reserved for only the most intelligent.
Spreading education in a fair, equitable and unbiased manner should be the motto of every educational system. Educational opportunities should be accessible to all irrespective of age, sex, race, religion, social background because education is the driving force of self- development, social progress and economic development.
Without proper education which consists of equipping pupils with academic and non-academic knowledge and patriotism, no nation can aspire to create leaders, social reformers and revolutionaries.
So let’s keep on lighting up the minds of children and pave the way for a better future for our country.