News
This govt school is a ‘model’ in every sense.
In 2 years, the school’s pass percentage jumped from 14% to 94%; student strength, which stood at 400, more than doubled to 850 in the same period; children now wear uniforms, speak English, carry identity cards, and take pride in studying in a government school.
Let’s visit a government school in Somalpur, Ajmer. Mind you this is a government school just by name. For every other purpose this school is on par with any private school.
But the Government Model Senior Secondary School wasn’t always like this.
Somalpur has a large minority community and the major castes are Cheeta and Maharat. The campus was rough and tough as any other government school, with education pretty low on the priority list.
The teachers took it upon themselves to transform not only the school but the students as well. The results are there for the world to see. In 2 years, the school's pass percentage jumped from 14% to 94%; student strength, which stood at 400, more than doubled to 850 in the same period; children now wear uniforms, speak English, carry identity cards, and take pride in studying in a government school.
The teachings are not limited to academics, the students also learn yoga, plant trees, participate in sports, practice cleanliness, and have learnt the meaning of discipline. The school even has a CCTV monitoring system, thanks to the principal and 21-odd teachers who have made change their mission.
The modest principal of the school, Bhagchand Mandawaliya, happily credits the parents for the transformation. "The change has come about because of parents. They are happy to see their wards growing with education," he said.
Along with shoes and tie, a mirror too has made its way to school. "We put a full-length mirror outside the office so that students can see themselves for what they are," said Geeta Rani Gupta, a teacher, adding that regular parent-teacher meetings had helped in the transformation.
The school also runs extra classes for students from weaker sections besides conducting regular classes in addition to holding career counselling meetings.
"People of Somalpur are mostly from the Indian Army and they want that their children to join the army. So, we request army and NCC officers to organize sessions to motivate and guide them," added Mandawaliya.
A special focus on cleanliness
The school is very strict on issues of cleanliness and has bought and installed dustbins and constructed toilets with donations from villagers. "Our children also keep their houses clean and ask neighbours not to throw garbage on the road," said Kasim Khan, a parent.
Khan Bahadur Cheeta a proud parent, said that his daughter never missed school because she wanted to learn something every day.
All the 21 teachers in the school take additional responsibility upon themselves such as initiating tree planting campaigns, promoting cleanliness and organizing literary programs.
"It's as if my son is studying in a private school! Government schools have always meant less education," said Hakim Ali, another parent. The children, who were earlier known to use abusive language, have now become gentlemen, according to Ali.