I have been dreaming of a day that would dawn for me to somersault, breathing the air of freedom in the true sense of the word, as if I were a colourful kite dancing in the wind, up in the sky, with nothing to keep me in check.
I have a dream not to see a day called ‘World Children’s Day clamouring for the rights of children; their protection, participation, provision and so on, as most of the things at most places turn out to be just platitudes.
I have a dream to see not just one day, but all 365 days where we are cared for, looked after, and our wellbeing assured.
I have a dream to realize that we are brought up and nurtured not as child adults, child labourers, or child soldiers, but, as innocent, inexperienced, and immature beings, waiting to be educated and guided in the proper direction.
I have a dream to see that our brains do not become overloaded with too much of anything and the victims of this rat race for education should not outstrip the rate of our natural growth.
Besides, a dream to see that the education we get doesn’t destroy the natural impulses, but builds our self confidence, self esteem and creative abilities to see and move in the wider world.
I have a dream to witness that the products of education are neither burdensome nor useless to the family, society or the country, nor create parrots or machines devoid of rational and creative thinking.
I have a dream that our expectations, aspirations, potential would be identified and we have access to the promising channels to make good use of them to contribute to the development of our motherland.
I have a dream to fly like a butterfly above the garden of flowers, to touch the colours of the rainbow, play in the meadow of happiness and be protected from modern evils which corrupt our imagination, and innocence.
Let our world be the world of ours as it should be, for, in a few years into that wonderful world, we won’t ever be able to come back!
- A. Jayalath Basnagoda
Senior Lecturer, Mahaweli National College of Education, Polgolla.