“Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.” ― Nelson Mandela

Education can not only change the world as Madiba said, but it can also provide a firm foundation for communities to understand and learn about each other.

When education becomes a business commodity, as we are seeing today, it loses the essence of what it truly means.

Today we are seeing information being 'banked' in our young people's minds to be regurgitated at the time of exams.

Have we lost the true meaning of what education really means? How can we best educate our young people?

Do we need to recognize the needs of our communities, or do we simply open the window and ask our students to see what we want them to see! Should education be meeting the needs of our different communities?

If we believe that 'every child matters' is an important element of our educational system then how is it possible not to address the religious, cultural, and spiritual needs of various communities?

Should education be about shared values, building strong communities through understanding each other and learning how the 'other' lives?

For me, as a teacher, education has to be holistic and building on God's blue print given to each of us.

Education must be about how to be a good neighbour and less about how to acquire the first four wheels!

Education has to be about respecting the differences and being proud of one's own values, whatever they may be!

When I open the window I want my students to use their imagination and see what they want to see - I don't want to tell them what to see!

I want them to be able to see God's creation and be in awe and reflect on this magnificent world that we are slowing destroying.

We need God in the equation of our educational system to create that balance which is, sadly, missing in many instances.