Dilip Thakore visits Woodstock

Woodstock School was privileged to welcome Mr. Dilip Thakore, Founding Editor of Education World magazine, to address the staff at the start of semester retreat. Mr. Thakore spoke to an attentive assembly of staff, and shocked many with his description of the parlous state of public education in India. Woodstock, he said, was one of a small number of islands of excellence from which influence can spread. He reported that on any day in Indian government schools, 25% of the staff were absent from work, and that the low salaries and status experienced by teachers provided no encouragement for that situation to change. Education World has identified how the money could be made available in the forthcoming budget to address this situation, and is working tirelessly to raise public awareness to the point where politicians have to take notice. He encouraged Woodstock to be part of this process, and to look for ways to share our expertise with government schools around us. Link to Education World Online.

The next issue of "Brown and Gold" (April) will carry a full report on Mr. Thakore's speech.