Helen Keller

Have you ever watched the movie ‘Black’? You should. This biopic revolves around a girl, Helen Keller, who was blind, and deaf. She wasn't even taught any basic etiquette like eating with a fork because it was assumed that it would be in vain and thus, was rendered animalistic.

However, a teacher comes to her life and gives her a hell of a time. Why? Because he believed that she has potential. Her world turned upside down when the teacher helped her to make the first association with the word ‘water’ to its sensation. Her world became bright and colourful, and no longer shrouded in darkness and meaningless. She learnt all that she needed to know, and expressed herself in HER way but her message came across clearly. She also received a degree at a university (after failing for a number of years but never giving up). I’m sure her parents may have perceived this transformation a miracle. But it’s not. You know why? Because her potential always existed – it was simply never questioned or put forth. Fortunately for Helen, this was realised through her teacher's hope. 

Women who lived 200 years ago or so would have been lucky enough if they got an education let alone work in any place they wished in. How would you feel if studying and choosing your desired career was considered a joke or an impossibility by the majority of society? Terrible I hope? Look at history. How many female composers, inventors, and mathematicians are famous for contributing with their works in comparison to men? Marginal. Does that mean that women didn’t have any potential at that time? I strongly doubt it.

We’re repeating history with the way we’re approaching people with learning difficulties. The children and parents are hurt and angry because of the limited opportunity and it's etched all over their faces. These students have potential but the educational system (note MATSEC) is blackening and stifling their growth as well as limiting our country from truly developing.

The educational system tends to believe in equality but not in equity. Now that’s simply not fair.

I'll conclude with this, something Einstein said or something like that. A fish will swim and thrive in the sea but what happens when it is left out of water for even a few minutes? 

 Exactly.