Government Teachers In Karnal Transform Stone Slabs Into Classroom For Underprivileged Children

In the impoverished area of Kaithal Road in Karnal, scenes reminiscent of television dramas unfold daily: shattered shacks, open drains, and children playing amidst adversity. These children, often residing in slums, are enrolled in government schools. Despite their families’ financial struggles and some parents’ indifference towards education, these resilient children attend school regularly. Amidst the chaos, one can hear the echoes of basic lessons, as they recite from ‘A to pigeon, B to rabbit,’ under the makeshift shelter of stone slabs, meant for the construction of a flyover.

In this unlikely setting, a group of 6 to 7 dedicated government teachers convene every evening to educate these underprivileged children. Recognizing their desire to learn and their financial constraints, these teachers voluntarily offer their time after regular school hours to provide education to these eager young minds.

Jai Karna Shastri, one such teacher, shared his experience with Local 18, revealing his commitment to teaching these children for the past three years. Initially, only a handful of students attended his classes, but over time, the number has swelled to nearly a hundred. Beyond academic subjects, the teachers also impart general knowledge and cultural values, ensuring a holistic education for these children.

Every Saturday, a special session is dedicated to teaching the children the Hanuman Chalisa, fostering their religious awareness. Shastri emphasizes the importance of empowering these children with literacy skills, striving to make them proficient in reading and writing. Remarkably, the students now eagerly anticipate their lessons, often arriving before the teacher, a testament to their newfound enthusiasm for learning.

The teachers do these interactive activities to keep the children engaged and motivated, including music and dance. By fostering curiosity and enjoyment in their studies, they ensure consistent attendance and active participation from the students, despite the challenges they face in their daily lives.

This incident resembles another story of Rajesh Kumar Sharma, a 52-year-old educator who established free schools under a flyover near the Yamuna Bank Depot in Delhi. Since 2006, Sharma has been educating children from nearby slum areas.