Villagers raise Rs 22 lakh for improving their school infrastructure
This independence day, students of government senior secondary school in Ogala village in Barmer, Rajasthan received a gift that they never expected. Residents of the village came together and pledged nearly Rs 22 lakh for improving the infrastructure and facilities at their institute.
The government senior secondary school is the only senior secondary school in the periphery of six kilometers. Students here study either under a tree or in the walkway. Only three classes, that is, 9th, 11th and 12th are held in the classrooms. Although there are eight more rooms in the building, all of them are locked as they are unfit for use. It is not just infrastructure that is in sorry state here, the staff too is inadequate. The school has only nine teachers (against the sanctioned 18) for 497 students including 229 girls.
On August 15, with an aim to improve things, Principal Bhomaram Dehdu invited all the villagers to the school for Independence Day celebrations. He then discussed his ideas with them. “No one liked the building and the facilities here but most people, especially parents of the girls, didn’t want to send their children far to another school. When principal sahab suggested donations to improve the school, everyone readily agreed,” said Ashok Kumar Godara to Hindustan Times. Godara contributed Rs 31,000 to the institute.
With the donated money, the school hopes to build around 12 classrooms, a few staff-rooms, and also develop a playground for students. Villagers have also promised to finance a functional computer lab and CCTV cameras
With the donated money, the school hopes to build around 12 classrooms, a few staff-rooms, and also develop a playground for students. Villagers have also promised to finance a functional computer lab and CCTV cameras.
That’s not all! The school would now get support from government as well.
Om Prakash Sharma, Barmer’s district education officer (secondary) is reported by Hindustan Times as having said, “Under the Mukhaymantri Bhamashah Yojna, there’s provision for contribution from government if locals collect fund for a school. The government contributes 50 per cent more than the locals’ donation.”
And with that, the institute is all set to get more than Rs 50 lakh for infrastructure development (the government likely to donate Rs 33 lakh). Way to go!
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