From: sehari@iastate.edu (Babak Sehari)
Subject: Re: Your advice about education.
Originator: sehari@class1.iastate.edu
Organization: Iowa State University of Science and Technology, Ames, Iowa.
Date: Tue, 17 Nov 1992 04:50:36 GMT

In <1992Nov13.045524.26288@sun1x.actc.res.utc.com> ali@utrcv1 (ALI BABA) writes:
                     [....]
>came to mind.  One of the things I have often pondered, is that along with
>education, just as important and closely related is physical fitness.  I   
>think every able person should have access to a good sport and athletic
>program as it goes hand in hand with a good education.  The many benefits
>outweigh the so-called costs by reducing health problems, like obesity, and
>many of the problems facing adults today and this would also give children
>a sense of confidence and self-esteem, and give them goals in life to work
>towards.  Once instilled at an early age it may become a habit hard to
>break.  I feel this is something in which the government should subsidize.
>I said subsidize because of my own experience during my years at the old
>regime .  During my four years of practice at (Baeshgahe Nader) in Teheran
>I came across so many talented Iranian kids in different fields, who
>unfortunately had to drop out because of the lack of government support or
>private sponsorship. The other field which I would like to see supported by
>the government is Welfare.  Of course not a welfare system like the one
>which is in the west, and getting abused by so many people, but a welfare
>system that supports disabled citizens and widows and any other unfortunate
>soul who is unable to work.  These are just a couple of things which
>hopefully one day will be incorporated by the government in the future.
>will be able to offer it to Iranian people.
>We all love your articles at (sheer ali's zoore khaneh), We don't have
>anything worth offering you at our (zoore khaneh) but hang around and keep
>on posting your good articles and we promise to send you a couple of
>complimentary tickets for 1996 Olympics.

>                    ********************************
>                    * ALI BABA, not an old legend, * 
>                    *   But a new guardian angel   *          
>                    ********************************

I agree with you on both points.  Both of these points could be placed 
under energize and revitlize category.  One of the few changes needed 
in our education system is the way that it deals with sports.

Sports in many high schools is an extended free and play time.  However, this
time could be best utilized if we set special goals for each grade.  For
example, all the primary students have to learn how to swim.  It is a shame
that many of our high school graduates even do not know how to swim.  I
personally, learn swimming back in California.  Also, other sports should be
thought in primary school is the sports needed for better posture like
gymnastics.  Moreover, wrestling which is our national sport should be thought
to the school children at this level.  In middle school and high school
the art of self defense, shooting, and driving should be thought to the
children.  That means no school kid should be allowed to pass a level
until he or she have mastered reasonable skill for each level.  In another
words, a person could fail school for not being able to swim as well as
not being to able perform mathematical operations.  Off course, there should
be exemption for handicap children.  Moreover, there should be enough free 
time, so children could develop their own talents in other fields like
football, ...

On the second point, I agree with you that their should be minimum help for
people in need in form of public food program and public shelter program.
However, this problem could be better solved by people themselves.  The
idea should be developed and encouraged that each family who can, should
adopt and sponsor a family in need.  It should be a virtue to tell your
friends about that you have adopted or sponsoring a family.  Then, you should
do your best to bring that family out of poverty and put them on their
feet.  For example finding job for bread winner of family, could be mom
or dad, making sure they have a place to live, making sure their children
are well feed and going to school.  This one to one relationship would 
eliminate all the governmental red tapes.  If every family that can, just
adopt a family that can not, we can save a lot of people.  At the same time,
government should provide soup kitchen, and minimum public shelter for the
very poor.  The idea of adopting poor families was a tradition in Old Iran.
I remember my grand father used to do that. My father has done it.  Some of
these poor families need much more than money to solve their problems.  No
government could come close in providing for these people, what a person
who already made it could provide.  Moreover, the feeling of joy you get
by helping these people is great.  After, putting one person on his feet,
you gain a life long friend that you can count on for the rest of your life.
I remember, many of the people who my grand father helped used to come back
to do some of the works around his house as a thank you gesture.  For example,
there was one person who used to come and do a little bit of gardening every 
month or so.  My grand father used to sit down with him after words and
talk about everything, including how is he doing...  The solution to many
of the todays society might be found on the experiences of our elders.

                       With highest regards,
                            Babak   Sehari.
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