North Dinajpur district administration of West Bengal has launched ‘Gyanalaya’ project to improve the infrastructure of government schools in a phased manner.
In the first phase, 98 schools were initially selected, one school in each Gram Panchayat. This number has now reached 200 schools. According to the authority, all 2,937 government and government-aided schools in the district will be brought under the project.
Under the initiative, schools will get kitchen garden, 75-inch interactive display board, internet connection, library, book bank and other facilities. Besides, sports and recreation facilities, toilets are being upgraded and RO water purifiers are being installed in school premises.
North Dinajpur District Magistrate Surendra Kumar Meena told The Indian Express, “North Dinajpur has the lowest literacy rate in the country, it is a backward district. We have done this initiative (Gyanalaya) since last year. This has been done to bring forward the backward districts. We are providing excellent education and now many private schools in the district are also coming to us. “
Moumita Bashak, a teacher at Baluchukha Free Primary School in Golpokhar-1 Development Block, said, “The children are so excited, they can’t even imagine that learning is so much fun. We have a big screen for the first time, and it can be used to teach children through colorful presentations. New benches, additional fans and lights have been provided. Classroom infrastructure has improved.”
He said that the number of students going to classes has increased. “Most of the students are first-generation students, earlier we had to convince them to come but now they are coming to the classroom on their own… There are also extracurricular activities like dancing and painting,” Bashak said.
Sagar Das of Mahinagar School in Kaliaganj said, ‘The class work is over. We have been given an RO machine – it was really needed. Also, classroom floors now have tiles, something students could never imagine. Now the atmosphere is pleasant. In this competitive world, we need these teaching materials so that our students can also compete.
Kamal Kumar Modak of Bhupal Chandra Vidyapith (HS) in Raiganj block said his school was the only school in the area. “Parents are traveling 8 to 10 km and seeking admission for their wards here because of interactive education. Earlier there were no good toilets for girl students. But under this initiative, toilets have been renovated and the number of toilets has also increased. Sanitary pad vending machines have been installed. This will help in increasing awareness about sanitation,” he added.
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