Children’s Day at T.E.A.

Children’s Day is celebrated all over India-a day when kids can relax, participate in special programs, “hang out” with their teachers in a friendly way.  I spent the day away from my school, KV Sulur, visiting T.E.A. Public School in Tirupur-a.) something our Fulbright program wants us to do, visit other schools and spread international understanding and b.) a “public school” really means a private school in US terms-a school that charges tuition.  Actually all schools in India charge some form of fees, even the government school I teach at (though only around $10 per three months).  Remember, education is not compulsory here.  Everyday on my way to school I pass village children walking around barefooted, not heading to school, usually with milk cans or water jugs in their hands, working for their mothers.

Pictured above: An awesome day starts with an awesome breakfast.  Padma took me to this hotel (another word for restaurant..since all hotels used to have restaurants) where I had the breakfast sampler, each of which I’ve had individually at my school’s canteen.  Bottom (white circular) is Iddly, a rice powder steamed in the shape of a UFO.  You eat it with your hands and dip it into Sambar and Chutney.  On top of it is a small Dosa (a rice powder pancake).  This one is masala dosa, with spiced potatoes inside.  Left side is a sweet paste that I don’t enjoy.  Above it is Pongal: rice, butter and cashew mixture with curry leaves (really good).  Next to that is a Vada.  A solid daal with spices deep fried into a hand held breakast.  Next two (1 and 2 o’clock on the dish) are chutneys, coconut and tomato, for dipping.  Great breakfast!  Oh yeah, sambar is in the middle: cooked daal (lentils) with vegetables.

Pictured above: T.E.A.: Tirupur Exporters Association.  In my opinion, this is similar to the story of New Tech, where I teach.  Eleven years ago in Napa, CA, the business community came together and said, “your high schools aren’t giving children the skills they need so we’re going to help fund a new school that will directly teach technology/21st century skills.”  And they chose to do it using project-based learning.  Napa New Tech was born and my school is a replication of the original. The school I visited is similar in that the Tirupur Exporters Association built a school to teach their children how to be the next generation of t-shirt businesses owners.  (90% is that…other children can attend if they pay the $500 per year fee (non-boarding), but this is the main reason for building the school)

Pictured above:  The elementary principal, a teacher, me and the librarian and my tour guide, Gayathri.  I am a giant.

Pictured above:  Two and three years old at school.  AND ENGLISH WAS ON THE CHALK BOARD…THEY’RE LEARNING ENGLISH AT 2!!!  It’s more like educated day care, but this is a good (and wealthy) school.  No uniforms on Children’s Day.

Pictured above:  “Fancy Dress” competitions are common on dress down days.  She’s cute, eh?

Pictured above:  This boy is doing some classical drumming.  He said he has studied 8 years.  I have learned that it is very difficult to learn to play this instrument.

Pictured above:  Whenever I meet new children they are really nervous about asking questions.  But one they come up with from time to time is, “What is the secret to your height?”  Most times I just shrug.  But sometimes I like to answer, “I eat beef.”  It is something (protein-laden) that I do that is different from most Indians, but I usually answer that way to make them think about our differences.  I have thought a lot about eating meat since I’ve lived with so many vegetarians.  I think vegetarians should also think about those of us who do eat meat and why, even if they don’t agree.

Pictured above: Children always want to shake hands.

Pictured above: Fancy dress like Jawaharlal Nehru, the first prime minister of India and whose birthday has been deemed Children’s Day.

Pictured above: the common practice is for each child to bring homemade food and share it with everyone else and their teachers.  A nice practice.

Pictured above:  I got to eat with 8th grade children.  Great food and a great experience at T.E.A. Public School!