Members of the Young Writers' Club Jr. program analyzed a recent news about a government school that found an interesting solution for its problem in an old train coach. Their varied reactions were interesting to listen to. But there was one common element- every one of them strongly felt that those children must have equal opportunities in education, just as themselves.
Sarkari Hiriya Prathamika Shale (Government Higher Primary School) in Manathavadi Road in Mysuru City, Karnataka, is different from a typical school that you are accustomed to. Unlike a traditional building packed with classrooms, this school’s classrooms are in a train coach. Before you get carried away in the line of thinking that this must be one of those modern education ideas to make learning fun, pause for a moment. That’s not the story here.
Five to six years ago, this school was located in an old dilapidated heritage building that eventually collapsed. There was an urgent need for an alternative but the school wasn’t able to find one. It was a harrowing time for the school, the parents and the students who wanted to learn but could not. It is instances such as this one that makes us take a pause and ponder. We have the luxury of complaining about Monday morning blues and test/exam weeks in schools. There are people in the world who want to learn but can’t because there isn’t space available for a classroom.
The heritage building was on a land owned by the railways. Read more
The Young Writers react to the news
“Why not build another building?”
“The article supplied an answer to that question- the railways, the owner of the land is reluctant to. “
“What could be the reason? Could it be money? The railways perhaps want to hold on to the value of the land and sell it for good amount of money. “(This theory is unverified and is simply a child’s contemplation.)
“That is unacceptable! What is more important? Children benefitting from education or someone making money?”
Inputs from the article set the group thinking in a different direction. An official from the railways came up with the idea of converting the unused railway coaches parked on the land into school classrooms. This idea was universally accepted and implemented.
What is more important? Children benefitting from education or someone making money?
“Isn’t this a win win situation for all? The railways gets to stick to its priorities, the government school gets classrooms and the students and parents are happy.”
This statement was opposed.
“This isn’t a win win situation. As we can see from the photographs these classrooms are makeshift classrooms. They can occupy only a few children.”
“There isn’t enough space for all the equipment and furniture that we see in our school classrooms.”
That contribution led to a discussion about what modern day, private school classrooms have.
“We have a plasma T.V in our classroom.”
“We have an overhead projector.”
“We have a computer in the classroom.”
The group took a look at the government school’s classroom pictures once again and there was silence for awhile.
“How can these train coaches be enough for an entire school?
“I am in grade 7 and we have 7 sections. That’s true for the entire school. How can a couple of train coaches be enough?”
We went back to the article to find information about the total strength in the school.
The school has a total strength of 61 children. Shock, disbelief and silence followed soon after reading that information.
We were taken aback by the reality that these children have had to face. We rejoiced over the fact that a solution emerged. We ended the discussion on a happy note. These children were able to continue their education.
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