“What is needed to make democracy function is not knowledge of facts, but right education.”
—Mahatma Gandhi
A Government Middle School situated in Naharpur village of Punhana block in Nuh district of Haryana was in a barely functional condition, and the facilities were inadequate for education, health, hygiene, or leisure for students. This affected the attendance of the students in the school. In 2021, project Vriddhi supported by Nestle India and implemented by S M Sehgal Foundation began an initiative in Naharpur for holistic rural development. One of the activities of this project was to transform the government school to have a positive impact on the future of these young students.
A comprehensive structural revamp of the school building changed the entire look and feel of the premises, with new classrooms, toilets, play tools, boundary walls, a kitchen, plantation, and BaLA paintings as learning aids for the students, among others. Previously, there was no safe drinking water facility in the school premises. This was addressed by creating a water station with clean and safe drinking water, hence, students are less prone to waterborne diseases. The toilets for boys and girls were renovated, due to which attendance improved, especially of girls. A comfortable seating arrangement was created for the students by providing benches. After this initiative, an increase in enrollment of 182 students was seen. All these efforts have resulted in a transformation in the students. Their confidence improved and they believed in themselves more, and education was no longer just a formal requirement to complete.
A teacher said, “The school transformation has not only changed the mindset of the students coming from the different villages but has also inspired the teachers to provide better education. Parents too are motivated to send their children to school.”
Minakshi, a sixth grade student of Naharpur school, shared how her school has become a happy place for children, with a good building and a stage for cultural performances. She also mentioned that Republic Day and Independence Day functions are now held in school, which was not possible earlier. She is excited about the wall paintings and classrooms, which have made her more interested in studies.
(Story by Ajeet Kumar, field assistant and Barsha Das, assistant program lead)
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