We are living in the celebrity era and, as from the cradle, children learn to worship famous singers, top models, actors and their likes. This omnipresence of celebrities in our everyday lives definitely influences our values and the way we behave in life. It is an important aspect of education we often overlook.

Those who think that a song hammering out?we don?t need no education? which militates against what is perceived as rigid schooling does not have an effect on the mind of youngsters might well be making a big mistake.

Just ask either those who have been swayed by Pink Floyd?s ?The Wall? or teachers and boarding schools administrators of the 80?s what they think about it and you?ll have an idea of what celebrities can do.

The ?celebs? have undeniably invaded our lives and are influencing our attitudes. If we fail to control our children they end up aping their favourite celebrity in every way. The latter?s style, for instance, even supersedes the fan?s school uniform turnout. Just watch some of our students going to or coming out from school and you?ll see.

Its no surprise either that some students have turned their rooms into real shrines in honour of their adored stars.

Our children live to the rhythm of the rich and famous. Weren?t Britney Spears, Paris Hilton and their likes not among the most visited items on a great number of Internet search engines last year? There would have been nothing wrong in this craze for celebrities if their lives were helpful in teaching our wards how to become better citizens but this is often not the case. Those rich and famous often do not display behaviour which befits a good and desirable education in discipline, fidelity, loyalty, selfless love, peace and other timeless values.

There was a time though, some decades ago, where children had heroes and those heroes were such people like Roosevelt, Gandhi and Martin Luther King.

Those were the times when things were not easy, where wars were fought in reality not on TV, where life was a battle field which called for discipline, honesty and truthful values.

Education was reserved for those who could afford the costs and equality was often a vain word. Thanks to heroes like Martin Luther King JR these things have changed today. Civil rights have become a reality in many countries and racial segregation is a remote evil, although it still persists unofficially in some cases.

These heroes are most befitting for our society as well - why should we ignore their evergreen messages of love, fraternity and non-violence? Even more so when they have proved to have been effective in paving what we now enjoy in society.

That is why on this very auspicious day when America is celebrating Martin Luther King?s birthday, it would be most desirable if our children were brought to ponder upon this great non-violent freedom fighter.

It should also form part of their education especially in a Mauritius which last year claimed a 40% rise in juvenile crime.

Besides it would definitely help in counterbalancing the noxious effects of some junk celebrities.

We can have a dream of a better education only if our children are made to dream about better role models...