As a member of a Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group, Shikha Pahadin feels that her work as a Community Correspondent is important because it gives primacy to issues that her isolated community faces. “There is a certain perception in the mainstream media that Tribal Groups are receiving many governmental benefits. People feel that things are simpler for us as we can…

Shikha Kumari Pahadin

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Even after multiple complaints, the teachers were not coming to school since past two years. In september 2014, Shikha made a video on this issue and gave it to the Deputy Commissioner of Sahebganj district who took action to make sure the children don't suffer any further. New teachers have finally been appointed.

Echoing the community's demand to appoint new teachers, Shikha visited the deputy commissioner again in November 2014. After this, a new Headmaster, Rakesh Kumar pandey and a new Assistant Teacher, Ram lal Malto were appointed on 14th february 2015 at the Utkramik Middle School in Kulbhanga Pahad village of Mandru block. Since 16th of February 2015, they have been teaching children regularly. Both Kuldeep Yadav and Shankar Das, who never visited school except for Republic Day, have been suspended. But, the fight does not stop here. For starters, the school does not even have a blackboard. Other facilities like Mid-day meal, access to clean water, proper classrooms and toilets are yet to be fixed. The new headmaster, Rakesh Kumar has communicated the issues to his senior and has been promised that everything will be fixed in two days. Shikha is currently working to make sure the school has all the provisions that the children need to have a stress-free learning environment.

Also watch the video that enabled this change: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=esIceNHaLOE

Shikha Kumari Paharin reports from Sahebganj District, Jharkhand for IndiaUnheard.

This video was made by a Video Volunteers Community Correspondent. Community Correspondents come from marginalised communities in India and produce videos on unreported stories. These stories are ’news by those who live it.’ They give the hyperlocal context to global human rights and development challenges. See more such videos at www.videovolunteers.org. Take action for a more just global media by sharing their videos and joining in their call for change.