Birender Tirkey

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Jharkhand,Gumla School teaches 200 students in one room and under a mango tree

About the Video: It may be tempting to think of the condition in which the 200 Dalit students at Government Primary school in Biswapur village, Gumla district, Jharkhand receive education as something of a Malgudi idyll. The students all gather around the mango tree for their classes. But look a little closer and you feel the terrible scorch of the sun, the torrent of the rain, and the swirls of dust blowing in the wind. It is a crippled school running with only one room where the children are cramped and are made to make do with the scarce facilities available. Inspite of the best efforts of the teachers and the staff, the quality of education the students receive takes a terrible hit. When Video Volunteers' Community Correspondent question the local authorities about the state of the school he received a reply that no funds had been allocated for providing infrastructure to 'minority' schools.

Community Correspondent Says: Birendra has tried long and hard in the hope that the school will receive some much needed government support. His commitment to the students and teachers has impressed the authorities and the panchayat. And when the position for a headmaster was open at the school, Birendra who is one of the most educated and learned people in his village was selected as the headmaster.

Call to Action: His efforts to bring the state of the school to the attention of the authorities continues. You can help him in his struggle by calling Jharkhand Education Project Council on 06512410519 and ask the respected authorities to look into the situation.