Empower Through Education

The Little Boy

By Sadah Mubashshira ( A 3rd Grader)

A little boy was born on December 28, 1979. His family was very poor; his mother was a housewife, and his father worked as a farmer. He had four brothers and one sister. Eventually, it was time for him to go to school, where he discovered his favorite subject was mathematics. Back then, getting an education was a struggle. In his family, no one else had been educated like him. No one encouraged him to pursue his studies or told him that education would lead to success. Despite this, he was a diligent student. Another one of his passions was music, especially Bengali music.

The boy’s home was made of mud, and his parents were devout Muslims. At that time, there were no mobile phones, televisions, electricity, or computers—only a radio. The radio was their only source of news and music. He would listen to Bengali songs on it, as it was his only way to enjoy music. The radio only played audio, unlike a television, so he had to imagine the scenes as he listened.

During exam times, he often had dreams where he hadn’t studied or arrived late to the exam hall. In his dream, he would realize that an hour had already passed by the time he started writing, and then the teacher would collect all the answer sheets. He would wake up from these dreams, relieved to realize it was just a nightmare. In those days, there were no modern tools to help with studying or learning what was not in the textbooks.

The boy’s name was Md. Saheb Ali Mondal. His father's name was Md. Sunder Mondal, and his mother's name was Sofura Begum. He grew up in a village called Rasulpur, located in Rajshahi. His family was so poor that they often lacked sufficient food and clothing. They never celebrated his birthday, as his parents, who had no formal education, would forget the date.

English was a particularly difficult subject for him. He struggled with it and did not excel in English during his school years. Despite the challenges, he loved studying more than anything else, even though no one else in his family shared his passion. He never knew his grandparents, as they had passed away before he was born. Despite the hardships, he was a good student.

As time passed, he entered college. He excelled in mathematics but continued to struggle with English. Even in college, he would wake up early every morning—a habit he had developed as a child, as people in Rasulpur typically started their day with the sunrise. The village was lush with green trees and grass, and it was full of life. His favorite fruit was mango, and he was a huge fan of the three types grown in his father's orchards: Nangra, Chershapat, and Rupali mangoes. For him, mango was the king of fruits, with Nangra being the king among mangoes.

The seasons in Rasulpur were extreme, with scorching summers and frigid winters. During college, he realized the importance of learning English and committed himself to mastering it. He cherished four habits: waking up early, listening to Bengali music, reading books, and traveling. Among Bengali music, he was particularly fond of Rabindra Sangeet.

His family was always busy, so they had little time to take care of the children. The household consisted of seven members. With limited resources, he found ways to make light of their situation, such as weighing their food to make sure everyone got an equal share. His favorite types of books were funny, Islamic, and adventurous stories. Since they couldn't afford to buy books, he would borrow them from the library or spend his time playing badminton and listening to music. Badminton was his favorite sport, and Rasulpur, with its open fields, was the perfect place for him to play. He became skilled at it and found joy in the game.

In college, he taught mathematics to other students. Though he occasionally worried about his studies, he remained optimistic. He often achieved good grades, earning scholarships thanks to his sharp mind, even though he had limited study materials. Studying was his passion, and he rarely needed help from others. He was determined never to cheat, always maintaining his integrity.

Md. Saheb Ali Mondal attended Rajshahi College and later went on to Rajshahi University, where he studied from 1999 to 2005, earning his BBA and MBA with a focus on accounting, a subject closely related to mathematics. In 2005, tragedy struck when his father was admitted to Rajshahi Medical Hospital for surgery due to bone cancer. After eleven days of suffering, his father passed away on the twelfth day, leaving Saheb heartbroken.

Despite the grief, he continued his studies with determination. His mother remained by his side, supporting him. He worked hard and eventually received an opportunity to move to Dhaka, where he became an accounting teacher at Northern University. By 2020, he was teaching at Ahsanullah University of Science and Technology, building a successful career for himself.

And so, the boy who once struggled in a small village grew up to lead a fulfilling life, showing that dedication and hard work can transform a person's future.

Moral: Education has the power to change a person from poor to prosperous.

Empower Through Education

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Education Empowers Change

Unlocking potential through knowledge and learning opportunities.

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Education as a tool for personal and community growth.

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Transformative Education

Transformative education is an approach that goes beyond traditional teaching methods to instill not only knowledge but also critical thinking, empathy, and self-awareness in learners. It aims to transform students' perspectives by enabling them to question and reflect on their beliefs, values, and experiences. This educational model nurtures individuals' ability to challenge existing assumptions and foster personal and social change. Transformative education places the learner at the center, encouraging active participation, collaboration, and engagement with real-world problems. It promotes lifelong learning, ensuring that individuals grow as holistic, adaptable, and conscientious members of society.

Tools and Techniques for Transformative Education

1. Interactive Digital Platforms:

   • Learning Management Systems (LMS): Platforms like Moodle, Canvas, and Google Classroom facilitate interactive learning experiences by hosting multimedia content, assessments, and discussions. These systems encourage students to collaborate, share feedback, and engage in self-paced learning.

   • Gamified Learning Tools: Incorporating educational games through platforms like Kahoot! and Quizizz can transform conventional learning into a more immersive and enjoyable experience. Gamification promotes critical thinking and retention by making learning fun and interactive.

2. Collaborative Projects and Problem-Based Learning (PBL):

   • PBL allows students to work on real-life problems that require critical thinking and collaboration. Tools like Trello and Asana can be used for project management, helping students break down complex tasks into manageable steps, assign roles, and track progress.

   • Group activities, both virtual and in-person, where learners collaborate on meaningful projects, teach them how to communicate effectively, analyze diverse perspectives, and develop solutions collaboratively.

3. Reflective Journals and Portfolios:

   • Encouraging learners to maintain reflective journals or digital portfolios using platforms like Seesaw or Google Sites allows them to document their learning journey, insights, and growth over time. This practice helps students to internalize knowledge and recognize their cognitive and emotional development.

4. Discussion Forums and Peer Reviews:

   • Platforms such as Padlet and Edmodo provide spaces for students to share their thoughts, discuss topics, and provide peer feedback. Engaging in discussions and critiques helps develop critical thinking, empathy, and the ability to articulate ideas clearly.

   • Peer review activities foster constructive feedback, allowing students to see different viewpoints and refine their work through collaborative learning.

5. Experiential Learning and Community Engagement:

   • Field Trips and Virtual Simulations: In-person experiences or virtual reality (VR) simulations using tools like Google Expeditions can immerse students in different environments to enhance understanding and foster empathy.

   • Community Projects: Integrating community service or outreach programs helps students connect academic concepts with real-world applications, promoting social responsibility and active citizenship.

6. Workshops and Seminars:

   • Holding workshops that focus on critical thinking, self-reflection, and leadership skills can be transformative. Using video conferencing tools like Zoom or Microsoft Teams enables guest speakers and experts to share insights, regardless of geographical boundaries.

   • Collaborative workshops allow for role-playing, debates, and case studies, facilitating the development of problem-solving skills and new perspectives.

7. Mentorship and Coaching:

   • Pairing students with mentors or life coaches helps create personalized educational experiences that foster growth. Platforms such as MentorCity or informal arrangements using LinkedIn allow students to connect with professionals and experts in their fields of interest.

Transformative education equips learners with more than just academic knowledge; it instills adaptability, critical thinking, empathy, and lifelong learning skills. By using modern digital tools, experiential techniques, and collaborative learning methods, educators can create an enriching and inclusive learning environment that empowers students to become proactive, informed, and transformative individuals in society.