In an exemplary act, the residents of Papkapur hamlet have decided not to send their wards to private schools, but only to the government school in the hamlet.
The only government school was on the verge of closure due to lack of students. Most of the children from this hamlet travel a long distance to go to a private school. The building was in a complete state of neglect indicating that the school might be closed soon.
Acting on time, the school teachers and some village elders motivated Papkapur Sarpanch P. Sharada to convene a Gram Sabha to discuss the issue. At the meeting, it was decided that all the villagers should send their children to the government school. “Those violating the resolution of the Gram Sabha will have to forego their pension, ration and other welfare schemes of the State government,” she explained.
In a surprise turn of events, the villagers stopped sending their children to private schools from this year. Now, the government school has turned into a beehive of activity.
“We are overwhelmed with the response. We are still busy with admissions,” said the visibly-elated headmaster Sarwar Ahmed.
Papkapur, tucked away deep in forests, is one of the many hamlets located on the banks of river Godavari, over 100 km from district headquarters. Private schools came up here, but had poor infrastructure. They still made money banking on the beliefs of the parents that private schools were any day better than the State-run ones. Having ensured cent per cent enrolment, Sarpanch Sharada said that they would now fight for development of schools.
