Around a dozen Australians, who are in the city, would have felt that magical feel of gratification.
Thanks to their efforts, a considerable sum of money was raised to construct a school building in a city slum.
On Saturday, Australian High Commissioner Sir Patrick Suckling inaugurated a brand new five-storeyed building of St. Andrew’s High School at BS Maktha here — the realisation of a long-standing dream.
“Our friends David and Robyn Claydon convinced us to donate money for this noble cause and because of our faith in them, we did not think twice,” Robyn Brown said. “This is our first visit to India and we are very happy that our contribution will provide education to underprivileged children,” her husband added.
For St. Andrew’s High School, which began as a one room-one teacher set-up in 1993, it was yet another step up the ladder. “We were forced to move from one building to another as we did not own any buildings. This is a culmination of our efforts and prayers for last two decades,” G. Evangeline Sita, founder-principal of the school said. The school has more than 700 children from underprivileged sections of the society, who can now study in peace, she said.
Speaking on the occasion, Sir Patrick said the school was part of Australia’s involvement in Indian education.
“Every year a large number of Indian students go to Australia to get trained in different vocations. We are now looking forward to partner Indian authorities and set-up vocational training institutions so that students here can get trained under the guidance of Australian experts,” he said.
The event was marked by a colourful cultural presentation by the schoolchildren.
