Teacher’s Diary: ‘That day I realised that with little guidance, students can outgrow their shackles’
Sunil Kumar is a teacher at Shahjahanpur East Secondary School, Kajrinoorpur, Uttar Pradesh. It is one of the oldest schools in the neighbourhood which lost its relevance with time. Read how this school’s reputation was revived by this teacher’s hard work.
Sumit Kumar 22 Jun 2023 1:46 PM GMT
Sunil Kumar is a teacher at Shahjahanpur East Secondary School, Kajrinoorpur, Uttar Pradesh shares his experience in this Teachers' Diary.
Once a famous school in Uttar Pradesh’s Shahjahanpur district as it was built over eight acres of donated land by the community, Shahjahanpur East Secondary School in Kajrinoorpur witnessed a decline in its quality and reputation over the years. The school was set up in 1995.
In its days of repute, students from 16 neighbouring villages used to come to attend it but by the time I was appointed as a teacher here in 2016, its condition was far from satisfactory.
Neither was there a proper schedule for the children who used to often reach school only after 9 AM, nor any restriction on who could enter the school premises. The condition was pathetic. Female students could not attend the classes because they were burdened by household chores.
To improve the attendance rate, I went to the students’ houses and counselled their parents. Eventually, I saw a change, when the children started coming to the school more frequently.
It was the first time the girl students of a school under the Basic Shiksha Department had participated in a sport event.
These children are now considerably smart in studies, all they needed was some guidance. I remember how once the girls from the school had to be taken to Saharanpur district for a sports competition on Kabaddi. Other teachers of the school gave up on the idea fearing that the families of the girls would not agree to send their daughters. But due to my persistence, nine girls agreed to participate in the Kabaddi event, with the support of their family members who came to drop them off. That day I realised the positive change I was able to bring in.
It was the first time the girl students of a school under the Basic Shiksha Department had participated in such an event. They didn't win, but continued to participate in other games such as badminton. Their participation itself was a feat.
In a badminton tournament, Prachi Yadav and Sonam won silver medals in a competition. They had worked hard for it. The children of my school are very capable and are all-rounders. Some are good at farming, some in art, and some in mathematics. New paths have to be made for these children and I am trying my best to accomplish that.
