Dear Friends,

“Change does not necessarily assure progress, but progress implacably requires change. Education is essential to change, for education creates both new wants and the ability to satisfy them.” - Henry Steele Commager

May this year bring a change for the better of everyone! We wish all our members a very happy new year and welcome you all to the first community update in 2008.

The past month saw some very vibrant discussions. After concluding the query on, establishing language labs for spoken English in Rural schools, the query on testing of tribal and rural children saw very good responses from the members of the community. The outcome for sure will be helpful in addressing the issues raised on testing intelligence, growth and learning of tribal and rural children.The education community for the coming years can be a very effective portal for discussion. In a country as large as India, experiences are varied and it is interesting to see how all members from different parts of the country come forward to share their first hand experiences and provide effective solutions. The current query on, Selection of Young Children on 'Merit cum Means' Criteria has resulted in a very vital discussion and we thank the members for their contributions.

Several challenges still face the education system in India where a significant population is below the age of 30 years. We hope that with the beginning of a new year, we as a community are able to take our discussions to the grassroots and are able to have interesting and meaningful insights on access to schooling, drop outs, levels of learning, forms of teaching etc.

Meanwhile, please keep sending in your comments and feedback; we look forward to hearing from you.

With warm regards,

Shubhangi Sharma & Sudakshina Mallick
Resource Team