Why 30 %
sikh peoples in India, still uneducated – facts
and issues
Manjit Singh Chahal,B.Com.,LL.B.,
Advocate
& Tax Consultant
Founder of SIKH CO-ORDINATION
CENTER FOR EDUCATION - a charitable NGO for betterment in education. Our primary
objective is to seek,
to strengthen, and to encourage positive actions on education & education systems. Focusing on supporting missions, to promote education, to scout talented children,
who are from underprivileged background, at early age nourish them to complete
their full education courses and to develop value-based programs, courses,
producing and distributing educational and inspirational materials, books, etc.
through volunteers, and to co-ordinate efforts from all interested individuals-voluntaries,
fellow-NGOs, institutes, and to make arrangements for scholarships for the
talented child particularly from minorities. To work and to act as
co-ordinating center for all issues related to education of minorities.
We can be
contacted on email – sonamanjit@gmail.com
We Sikhs are
minority in India with just 1.9 % (about – 19,215,730 peoples) of the Total Indian
population. Last published Government of India Census, 2001 on Literacy rate
(religion-wise), states that Sikh education literacy rate is 69.4% (all-India). Whereas in literacy % of other minorities -
Christian is 80.3 %, Jains is 94.1 %, Buddhist is 72.7 % ) [figure of census
2011 is pending on religion]. It is worth
to note here that World average of Literacy rate is 84%.
Point to ponder is, we have 30.6% Sikh peoples
(residing in all Indian states) not educated in present India. Inspite of great
progress is made in education systems by India after independence, Sikhs unable
to march with the other minorities in this case. Why Sikh people around 30%
remained uneducated and illiterate, these numbers more in females. These critical
census figures and related facts, important issues emerged from these, which
should be discussed at all Sikh forums and meetings by the Sikh leaders, Jathedars
& academic scholars urgently or we are going to miss the bus of progress
that Indian state is witnessing right now. It is a complete failure of Sikh
political class and its leadership who are unable to appreciate and comprehend
the power and utility of educated community. It is more significant and
fundamental for survival of a community who is only 1.9% people in India. We
can’t stand waiting around for things to get done just right by somebody else
for education. Indian Government formed Sachar Committee led by Justice Rajindar
Sachar to give recommendations on Social, Economic and Educational Status of
the Muslim Community of India and follow-up is already taken by various
Government agency but we Sikhs are themselves unaware of our political &
minority rights and reluctant to put our demands before existing State governments.
Illiteracy
is the mother of all issues as it gives birth to major social problems to
forefront like poverty, unemployment, child labour, female foeticide (we Sikhs
have sex-ratio lowest among all minorities in India), violence against women
and many more.
Sikhs are unable to appreciate the relevance of literacy in matters like infant
mortality, immunisation, children’s participation in primary schools,
population growth, family planning, women’s emancipation, and social evils like
child marriage, dowry, and bride burning so on. We already were facing major problems,
especially in Punjab state, of drug-abuse, unemployment, high crime rates in
passport–visa frauds, high percentage of students going abroad for study
unconnected subjects, number of social problems. Neglecting the issue of illiteracy
can hurt the betterment of Sikh religion as a whole very badly.
Literacy enables and empowers a person to think
rationally, to be understanding, to be more responsible and to make his/her own
decisions. A literate person is aware of all his fundamental rights and duties. Literacy benefits both individuals &
communities. It transforms people, communities & the entire social
structure and is a key for socio-economic development. Literacy is the ultimate
solution to fight social problems more effectively and the educated Sikh population
can better understand the essence of our religious scriptures and its
philosophy and able to connect more deeply with God. Finally, educated Sikh mass
can fight all social, religious and political evils more effectively. And
ultimately, becomes an ideal community, which is the ultimate goal of Sikh philosophy.
It
is such a travesty, that tall claims and opinion generated outside and within
Sikh community of great progress made in all walks of Sikh life, in reality
present adequacies in the education sphere points to a fundamental flaw in the
thought process regarding future of Sikh community. Whereas, our charity services
in creating Gurdwara and community schools with huge sum of every year is
promising but on analysing the outcome in the education and academic sphere we
not faired adequately.
As
such, need of hour is, for the survival of the community, to protect the
distinct sikh identity, its culture and people from various drawback and
defects emerging from curse of illiteracy, we must to find ways and means by
which, we can help in educating our illiterate Sikh population which is around
30 % (all-India) and those are already receiving education help them out in
every possible way. All these steps mentioned herein, are key and vital to our
survival in present social & political system of Indian Republic. The
return on investment of educational measures, we take today is almost
impossible to measure. Our educated Sikh population (all-India) should be
around 80%, as in case of Christians and Jains (to start with).
The
Statutory laws give all necessary rights to the minority peoples of India to
join the growth and development and enjoy fruits of the democracy. The Supreme
Court in its 1993 ruling held that “children
had a fundamental right to free education”. Ex – President A.P.J Abdul
Kalam gave his assent to the Constitution (83rd Amendment) Bill, 2000, and the
“right to education” was incorporated
in the Constitution as a fundamental right. The country had failed to implement
the provisions of Article 45, providing for compulsory and free education of
children up to 14 years of age within 10 years from the commencement of the
Constitution. "All minorities…shall
have the right to establish and administer education institutions of their own"
is the mandate, as per Article 30(1) of the Constitution. The Government of
India established Minority Affairs department in every stat,e where every
person from all minority community can avail all the schemes on education, merit
based scholarships, training, coaching facilities etc.
Vital facts :
1.
Majority of Sikh population
in India resides in the Punjab state is about 76% and in Haryana 6%, that is,
82% of Total Indian Sikh population resides in these two states. The Latest
census figures (2011) of these two states can tell us the status of education
and social problems of majority of Indian Sikhs. Rest of the Sikhs population
is 28%, out of which those who are living in urban India, are somewhat better
placed than those in rural areas in education sphere.
2.
Current Government Census
Report of 2011 on literacy rate (religion-wise) is still pending. Whereas published
Government Census Report of 2011 on literacy rate (State-wise) states the literacy
rate of Punjab state is 76.68 % ( male – 81.48 %, female- 71.34 %)[figure of 2011]. Of all
India State Literacy rate, ranking of Punjab slipped from 15 to 21 among all states.
And In case of Haryana state literacy rate is 76.64 %. That means, we do not
know how literacy rate of 28% sikhs living outside state of Punjab and Haryana
will be. We can only analyse the 2001 figure of Sikh education literacy rate
(religion-based) is 69.4% (all-india) that means 30.6% Sikhs still illiterate.
3.
The Sikh population are
least urbanised 26.54% among all minorities.
4.
There is a decline of
literacy rate % in Sikh other backward classes (OBC).
5.
One of the ill effects of
less educated community is that our Sikh sex-ratio (female per thousand male)
is lowest about 893 (among all religion in India). The children under (0-6
years) sex-ratio (female per thousand male) is even worse among Sikhs which is
786 (among all religion) and Muslims have sex-ratio 936, quite strange because
we thought they are more illiterate than Sikhs.
6.
The top three ranking states,
where literacy rate is high (with sikh population) are – 1. Kerala (sikh –
2762) 2. Lakshadeep (sikh -6) 3. Mizoram (sikh-326) and we have negligible Sikh
population in these states [figure of
2001 census].
Vital issues :
1.
Unawareness
of Sikh masses-
Reluctance of Sikh masses to avail of government schemes. The unawareness of
Government schemes among sikh minority is quit disturbing because such community
suffering from ill effects of number of social & financial problems created
by illiterate, rigid and unaware peoples.
2.
Management
of Minority-run school/institutes- We have large number of community/minority
schools under our gurdwara management. They are well-organised and managed in
physical-form but in academic results tell us different story. Sikh student’s report-card
shows not very encouraging result and Gurmukhi language promotion not exploited
fully. It is suggested here that all Gurdwara Management-committee should create
separate School management committee includes only graduate & ex-army,
ex-educators as members with fixed agenda and duties without any interference
from anybody; in reality even class 8 failed Sikh with good lobbying can proudly
sit in school management committee meetings to discuss progress of class 9, 10.
Management Committees should be run very professionally whereas it found to be
lack in good educated professional persons who have experience in running these
schools/institute or least good academic persons should head such schools, not
by a person who have no experience in professionally managed units.
3.
Teachers - We have
teachers, particularly in primary sections, less-qualified teachers are
selected from own minority society on management whip. The primary sections are
most neglected in all minority schools. The very basic foundation remains weak
for such students, and as a result, they never get good marks in secondary
section. There should be a separate effective Sikh missionary section having missionary-educated
Gursikh teachers for Sikh students for Punjabi language, history, religion
subjects. Where the history, religious thoughts and information on Sikhism is
effectively given. We must create new and more relevant structures of learning,
technology usage, curriculum and pedagogy in order to bring about the needed
change in teaching scenario.
4.
Free
Education
– Minority Sikh children are entitled to free tuition-fee which lessens burdens
of poor Sikh parents in most cases. Such school-management proudly announce
every year that school fee (plus many State Governments give minority grant for
tuition-fees) of Sikh children are made free till class X. In many cases,
proper counseling is not done of parents and children in these matters. Now,
irony of such situation is that, such Sikh students and parents take advantage
of grants and spend such fee-money (by way of saving their own fee-money) to
purchase bikes, smart-mobiles, LED TV, other wasteful expenditures etc. and as
a result, after passing from such school, students find life quite easy and
disregarding basic sikh ethics bluntly cut their long hairs to become clean
shave in college-life. (not in all cases)
5.
Poor
results –
Learning abilities of Sikh students in minority schools marked below average
and stagnated. We are unable produce fair number of good students who became
role model in our society and who we can say are product of our good and modern
education given in our minority schools/institutions.(exceptions are there but
we are talking of general conditions). We find that such student lacks the
character and quality, which are expected from them, after passing from our community/minority
schools. We can surely say that they are not up to the mark in all aspects, in
spite of investing so much minority public donations, government-aid monies in
our minority education institutions.
6.
Less
number of Sikh Students- It is observed that numbers of Sikh in such minority
schools are decreasing constantly every year. Year after year, there is a
tendency among better economically middle-class Sikh parents to give preference
of other private schools over Sikh minority schools. Where these students
getting best English education but loosing links with Punjabi language and
culture.
7.
Sikh
students from weaker-sections – This is the core issue of this
column that the weaker-section of Sikh community is fighting a losing battle
because............ In all the societies, we find poor peoples who want their child
to get good education and able stand tall in this society and who can
understand and contribute & help others in making this world a better place
to live. But in many cases in our Sikh society, we observed & find that when
time comes for these kids to get nursery or secondary education or
post-secondary education, the money isn’t there, reasons may be like one of the
parents died or disabled or become insolvent or parents are ignorant of the child’s
future. They do not have any plan and do not know where to start and where to
get help for their child. Some of them, we find quite talented and have a
promising future. Helping these children at critical junctures of their life is
our priority. Some of them are quite talented and waste their after school time
for various reasons and unable to develop their full potential alone and
parents also due financial reasons unable to support them in anyway.
REMEDIES:
1.
Co-ordination
centres –
What we find in our surveys & observations that sikh peoples on the surface
are same in appearance and language but we found that sikh community of today
is deeply divided on the lines – various sects, caste-wise, region-wise, type
of work you do, followers some modern babas, missionary followers etc. Only
saving grace is that we have same scripture till now. Irony is that, what we
are doing offering to educate our future generations. But in many cases in our society, we observed
& find that when time comes for these kids to get nursery or secondary
education or post-secondary education, the money isn’t there, reasons may be
like one of the parents died or disabled or become insolvent or parents are
ignorant of the child’s future. They do not have any plan and do not know where
to start and where to get help for their child. What we thought of a centre in
every region for co-ordinating all willing resourceful individuals and
institutes who can contribute in our efforts in developing ways to help all these
Sikh children in education. Particularly, those talented, underprivileged,
marginal, and high-risk children who require immediate help and by noticing their
future quite early, by providing whatever important in their life. We should
have financial supports form all quarters and a team of educator-volunteers who
can lead us in developing and protecting young minds of students of our minority
community.
2.
Mission is to start Talent
Search Programs through joining other institution in this project, to support
and assist high performing students in the pre-10th standard & Post-10th
standard and aid top ranking students at the 8th, 9th and 10th grade level. To give
education to in core subjects, in value-based education, character building
through Gurmat teachings and helping their overall development.
3.
Mission is to introduce to these
children to the sikh history, religion and universal human values through
cultivating the joy of reading books of various interest and subjects, and to
transform their lives in process.
4.
Distributing various
subjects books and other materials which are wonderful tools to help the
students in improve their English & Punjabi language as well as teach them
valuable character-building lessons.
5.
Lastly, giving senior
students in-depth SGGS studies, commentary and articles touching on topics like
discipleship, spiritual and personal growth, and how to grow your relationship
with the our god- Waheguru.
6.
Women
Education:
Education is a great leveller. But if the factors that hold girls back are not
addressed, and if access to education isn't equal, then education will become
another cause of inequity, rather than a cure for it. This is especially
important because when a young woman gets an education, it has a powerful
ripple effect. As an adult, she'll earn more money. If she has children, they
will be twice as likely to live past the age of five. Her daughters will be
twice as likely to go to school themselves. There's no way to get around the
fact that more girls need to be in good schools, and for longer time.
7.
Volunteering:
We
need to develop good & educated Sikh volunteers’ network who can invested
their valuable time in helping others. Helping in children’s education will be their
priority. So, impatient as we
are, we roll up our sleeves, and help those kids. They deserve it. I hope you are encouraged and If
you can help with a donation, we’ve tried to sprinkle enough donate buttons
around so that it’s easy to send us some love.
8.
On behalf of those, who
ultimately benefited. Thank You. We
know there are lots of worthy causes you can give to and a lot of different
efforts you can support. We need your help, and your donations will make a
difference. We truly appreciate the help you send us. Because we’re impatient
to get more done!
Column by
Manjit Singh Chahal,B.Com.,LL.B.,
Advocate
& Tax Consultant
Founder of SIKH CO-ORDINATION
CENTER FOR EDUCATION - a charitable NGO for betterment in education. Our primary
objective is to seek,
to strengthen, and to encourage positive actions on education & education systems. Focusing on supporting missions, to promote education, to scout talented children,
who are from underprivileged background, at early age nourish them to complete
their full education courses and to develop value-based programs, courses,
producing and distributing educational and inspirational materials, books, etc.
through volunteers, and to co-ordinate efforts from all interested individuals-voluntaries,
fellow-NGOs, institutes, and to make arrangements for scholarships for the
talented child particularly from minorities. To work and to act as
co-ordinating center for all issues related to education of minorities.
We can be
contacted on email – sonamanjit@gmail.com
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