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Half of the population of the Indian town Murshidabad is illiterate: education here is expensive. Many children donβt go to school because their parents canβt afford their tuition. Instead, they are bound cognize difficulties of adult life from a young age.
But Babar Ali is a lucky person who had the opportunity to attend a free public school. Despite the small income, his parents were able to provide their son with everything necessary: school uniform and textbooks. The school was in another city, so Babar had to spend a lot of time and effort for the way to it. But he did not regret it, because the lessons at school were worth that effort.
Every day when Babar was returning home he saw his peers forced to work in the field all day long. And then one day he decided to amuse them, he suggested playing the game where everyone had a role: Babar was the teacher and the rest of the children were curious students. Everyone loved this game so much that it became a reality. So there appeared a school, which was founded by a brave nine-year-old boy. Every evening, after hard and exhausting work the children gathered together to listen to Babar. It was his first step on the way to teaching.
The news about Babarβs noble action appeared in mass media a year after. Other kids found out about the school and soon among his pupils there were 800 children. According to Babar, his main aim is to give children the opportunity to gain knowledge that they were deprived of because of a difficult financial situation in their families. By the age of 23 he has taught grammar to 3 thousand kids in Murshidabad. He has set two records becoming the youngest teacher and headmaster in the world.
Now Babar Ali receives money for textbooks and food for students from sponsors, remaining not indifferent to their plight. Other students are teaching at school with him. They are working with children from Murshidabad for free after school or college. There is no place for strict discipline and tight control in the βHome of joyful learningβ. The relationship between teachers and students is based on friendship and mutual respect.
βI want to teach until the last day of my life. I want every child to have a chance to become educated,β said Babar Ali.
By author Janya Imanbaeva