As we entered her house, we were greeted by her daughter `Kapila’. I was curious to know what she was doing in her education. On my enquiring she informed me that she has done her B.Ed and now preparing for competitive examinations. I was impressed to see her confidence and the way she was conversing with me. Kapila introduced me to her cousin sister `Urvashi’ who had come from Gulabpura, district Bhilwara to stay with her for two days. Urvashi was studying in a government school in class 12th. She had to leave tomorrow as she had her school.
We all had dinner together, served by Kapila and Urvashi. I came to know that both of them had cooked it for me. I was touched.
Schools in deep rural areas have their own challenges in terms of providing education to students. First and the foremost, it is difficult to convince villagers to send their children to schools, particularly the girls. The discrimination still lives. Secondly, it is evenly difficult to get qualified and experienced teachers. Finally, even if you get both, the infrastructure in the schools needs to change.
Perhaps, Urvashi must have gone through the same process of struggle. On the pretext to ask how her education was going, I touched upon the issue of quality of the schools. `The government has provided schools in deep rural areas and that is really commendable. But the point is how well these schools are equipped to provide quality education’, she started. `The schools have building but infrastructure needs upgradation. The teachers are not available for certain subjects and thus either we have to leave those subjects and choose the subjects available in the school or even change our stream of education’ she continued.
It did not sound new to me. Schools have subjects but no teachers at all? How could this happen? May be it was for a temporary period but what happens in case of students appearing for board examination. Urvashi confirmed that I was right. The biggest problem comes to students of class 10th to 12th who have their future on line.
I was eager to know what had happened to her and how she managed. Urvashi started, `while I was in 9th class I had the dream of pursuing science and then be either engineer or architect. My school is in Hurda, a place about 15 minutes distance from Gulabpura. I was searching for a school which can provide me Physics, Chemistry and Maths, the combination. Unfortunately there was no school offering such combination. On finding more, I came to know that even if the schools were keen to offer these subjects, the teachers were unavailable.’
My obvious thought was, does it mean, no students could pursue science in this combination? This was quite disturbing as it meant future for these students who have limited means of livelihood were not to struggle for education as well.
I asked Urvashi about the options available to a student who still wished to pursue science with Maths, Physics and Chemistry.
`The circumstances left hardly any choice. Either, we change our subjects, or be ready to leave our houses and search for schools in cities like Ajmer or Vijayanagar, the nearby developed cities, to get the subjects of our choice’ Urvashi informed.
I was wondering about the life in such villages. Government is an institution and is of course very keen to provide the best possible facilities in village schools. But you do need the support of people, here, teachers, to run these schools in most successful manners. It is like government sanctions a post of teacher but it becomes difficult to find an incumbent.
But then, what is the solution. I was wishing if the organizations like Vedanta group company Hindustan Zinc also thought on these lines as well.
As we were talking, Kapila joined us, `oh so you narrating your empathy of school subjects’, we could not stop laughing. I addressed my question to Chanchal, `Urvashi did not find her subjects in her school, don’t you think her future is spoiled?’ Before Chanchal could reply, Urvashi interrupted me, `who said my future is spoiled, I am studying the subjects that I wanted to study’. I was confused.
Kapila explained me, `her school did have the problems of getting the teachers in certain subjects and Maths happened to be one of them but her problem was resolved. `Meaning, the school finally got the teacher’, I enquired. `No’ came the reply, the solution came from our Hindustan Zinc.
It was my turn to smile now. I was wondering how much attachment these people have with the company. Urvashi informed me that while we were wondering what to do, one of the company people from Hindustan Zinc approached our principal. He informed that under the company’s community service initiatives, there is a project called `Shiksha Sambal’ under which the company will arrange to provide remedial classes to students appearing for Rajasthan Board Examination, i.e. students of 10th to 12th classes. This project is aimed to provide special subject classes like Maths, Science, Political Science, English and Accounts.
But what is the point of teaching these subjects if the school does not count these subjects as part of their course curriculum, I asked. Urvashi smiled, `who said school did not count these subjects in their course curriculum’? Once Hindustan Zinc arranged these remedial classes, the schools came forward and regularized these subjects as part of their regular course curriculum. These classes became at par with regular classes in the school.
Astonishing, it is just simply unbelievable. An organization gets in the teacher from external sources and provides regular classes to students appearing for board examination so that they not only improve their grade but also go for streams which they actually want to.
`But from where these teachers came? When schools were unable to get teachers, how come Hindustan Zinc arranged them?’, I asked. Urvashi informed that Hindustan Zinc contacted the educated youths in the near-by villages who were unemployed and struggling to get jobs, in spite of getting a good degree.
I wanted to believe every word that she was saying. On one hand the problem of students was being resolved and on the other hand, the unemployed youths were getting employment. Perhaps some of them must have taken teaching as their profession later.
I was inclined to meet students and ascertain myself before I could conclude anything. Urvashi sensed my restlessness. She smiled, `I know it is difficult to believe. Let’s go to my school in Gulabpura tomorrow, as such I am leaving tomorrow morning’. I agreed, perhaps this is what I only wanted.
Even though the day was quite satisfying, the sleep only understand tiredness. I slept to be woken by Chanchal at 5.00 AM. It was time to leave for Gulabpura. About 2 hours of travelling and we reached Urvashi’s school – the Rajkiya Uach Madhyameek Vidyalaya, Hurda. She introduced me to her Principal, Dr. Rupa Pareek.
Dr. Rupa also informed that Hindustan Zinc also arranges for career counseling and special attention is given to weaker students. `I do not need private coaching classes for my students any more’, she proudly mentioned. The company has also provided help in building infrastructure like physics lab, library, playground, computer lab and even class rooms. To strengthen the computer education, Hindustan Zinc has provided 5 computers.
But what about the result, I asked her? `Oh that has been just unbelievable. In 2007-08 the grades were less then 40% and now the students touch upon 90-92%.
I could not find Urvashi as she had mixed up with her friends in the class.
Hindustan Zinc is reaching out to more than 50 schools in about 35 villages in Chittorgarh, Bhilwara, Rajsamand and Udaipur and by now more than 5000 students have been benefited. The pass percentage of schools which was just about 45% in 2007 has gone up to 85-87% now.
One question that kept me awake whole night was, what if you don’t get a partners in prosperity like Vedanta’s Hindustan Zinc to partner with the government’s vision of bringing prosperity in rural and tribal areas?
When you see the smiling and satisfied faces of these children, who are budding for their career, you actually appreciate and understand the healthy relationship between private and government sector.
It was time to leave.. My Journey will continue….
(The story published in `Down to Earth' magazine - issue 16-29, 2012)
