The Gift of Learning
In Bangladesh, education is a gift that, for many, marks the difference between a future largely confined to factory work and a dream of a future shaped by knowledge rather than necessity.
"I just want all our children to be happy," said Shirine, the headteacher of Confidence School in rural Bangladesh, when asked about her motivation for teaching. In a country where education is often the only pathway out of poverty, schools like hers can mean an entirely different life for the students who attend. And yet, for those who grow up in countries where access to education is almost guaranteed, it may be difficult to grasp the significance of schools like Confidence for these children.
Located on a backstreet in an area densely populated with factories, most schoolchildren come from families working on the production lines, where manual labour is valued more than intellectual ability. However, Confidence School was founded to allow children to broaden their horizons beyond the confines of the factory. "We chose the name 'Confidence' on purpose," Shirine explained. "We wanted to give our children the confidence to make something of their lives and to contribute meaningfully to society."
This noble ambition, however, is not without its challenges. While attitudes toward education have changed over the past decade—especially for girls, who have long been discouraged from attending school in these rural communities—a lack of funding and teaching materials makes educating so many children difficult. "We have to run shifts," Munni, one of the classroom teachers, explained. "Half the children come in the morning; the other half come in the afternoon. It is the only way we can teach so many children."
Yet, despite their hardships, one look at the children's beaming smiles and concentrated expressions as they study for a better future convinces me that they are indeed the fortunate ones. Unlike millions of children worldwide who do not attend school, the children of Confidence School are receiving the gift of learning. Let us always remember its value.
