In the Chhapari Primary School, located just five kilometers from Ambaji in Banaskantha district, students face serious challenges. The school serves children from nursery to fifth grade but has only two classrooms and two teachers. This setup raises concerns about the quality of education available to these children.
Chhapari is a tribal area where the literacy rate is low. The state government has made efforts to educate tribal children, but the infrastructure is lacking. The primary access road to the school often becomes impassable during the monsoon season. Parents are reluctant to send their children to school because crossing the flooded river can be dangerous. Teachers often have to assist young students in navigating through the water.
Currently, the only route to the school crosses the Telia River, which swells during the rainy season. When this happens, teachers have to find alternative routes over hills to ensure the children can reach school safely. Many families choose not to send their children to school when the weather is bad. This has resulted in a significant drop in attendance, with only 10 to 15 students attending classes regularly.
The lack of a bridge over the river has been a long-standing issue for the community, making it difficult for children to reach their school. Parents fear their children may slip and fall while trying to cross. Consequently, the four months of monsoon severely disrupt the children’s education. As a result, there has been a strong demand for a bridge to be built to improve access to the school.
The classrooms at Chhapari Primary School are overcrowded, with multiple grades being taught in the same room. This situation makes it challenging for teachers to provide individual attention to each student. The school is in desperate need of resources and infrastructure improvements to ensure that children can learn in a safe and conducive environment.
Despite the government’s efforts to promote literacy among tribal children, the Chhapari School’s current conditions raise serious questions about the effectiveness of these initiatives. Many parents feel that sending their children to school is unsafe, which negatively impacts their education and future prospects.
As the community continues to advocate for improvements, it is essential that the government addresses these pressing issues. Building a bridge over the Telia River would provide a safe and reliable route for children to travel to school. Additionally, increasing the number of teachers and classrooms would help improve the quality of education available to the children of Chhapari.
In conclusion, the situation at Chhapari Primary School highlights the challenges faced by rural schools in Gujarat. Without urgent action and investment in education infrastructure, the future of these children remains uncertain. It is crucial that the government listens to the community’s concerns and takes the necessary steps to ensure that every child has access to safe and quality education.
Leave a Reply