KONDAGAON: In the Naxal region of Kondagaon in Chhattisgarh, Madnar village has witnessed a remarkable transformation in its small middle school. Nestled amidst rugged terrain and remote tribal villages, the school, with a student strength of 107, now resembles a lively fun park. This revival not only breathes new life into the school’s premises but has also ignited a contagious wave of enthusiasm among both students and teachers.
The journey of this school’s change began when the school’s junior-most Mathematics Teacher, Shiv Charan Sahu, saw an opportunity for transformation. After the ripple effects of the Covid pandemic in the year 2020, escalating his passion for art and craft, Sahu, apart from his subject, began teaching the children of standard six to eight various forms of arts, including wooden art, wall painting, and many more, with a motive to not just make them learn temporarily but permanently so that they could use this creativity in their future ahead.
In the aftermath of Covid, the charming school had completely fallen into despair as the strength of the students also declined. The premises created an uninviting atmosphere. Determined to turn things around, he decided to involve students actively in the process. Popular among the students, he started discussing ideas of creativity with them. Under his guidance, gradually a chain of students started attending these discussions, and with growing interest, boys and girls decided to join the team.
This team became the driving force behind the school’s facelift. To begin with the art activities, those who loved paintings were provided with colors, and crayons, while those who were interested in gardening were directed for saplings, flowers, soil, and watering, and those who were interested in wooden arts were given the materials. These materials were brought from his savings.
Initially, the students of classes six to eight made small key rings, god’s sculptures, and nameplates. While some students made the outlines of the picture that had to be carved, some marked it on the wood, some chiseled it, and some carved it. Vishnu Sori, Khilendra Baghel, Majnu Sori, Gajendra, Devansh, Rajesh Sori, Jitesh Thakur and Rameshwar are some of the students who have learned it perfectly, said Sahu.
While students including Sanjay Yadav, Sagar Sori, Dilip Yadav, Nikku Sori, Rohit Samrat, Sagar Korram, Nitesh Gendre, Khilendra Thakur, Neha Baghel, Kiran Thakur are masters in painting. There are several wall paintings, garden paintings, and decorations in school that have been painted by these students, he further added.
All these students have not just learned and finished but they are invited to different exhibitions or camps organized around the state to display their creative talent.
The result was nothing short of extraordinary – the school now resembled a vibrant fun park, a testament to the collective effort poured into its transformation.
What made this endeavor truly unique was the self-reliance of the team. Instead of relying solely on external assistance, they took matters into their own hands, demonstrating the power of unity and community spirit. Even on Sundays, a day typically reserved for rest, the students gathered to paint and carve different areas of the building, infusing it with life and color.
As the weeks turned into months, the metamorphosis extended beyond the school building to include a once-neglected garden on the premises. The students, armed with brushes and a shared vision, worked tirelessly to breathe new life into every corner of their learning environment. The vibrant transformation did not go unnoticed; soon, the local community and students from neighboring villages were drawn to the school, admiring the tangible impact of the students’ dedication.
However, the journey did not end with the physical transformation of the school. The students played a proactive role in raising awareness within and beyond their village. Village-to-village programs, rallies, and human chains became mediums through which they communicated the importance of education and community involvement.
Their actions resonated far beyond the immediate vicinity, inspiring other schools and communities to take charge of their destinies. “There was a time when our school lacked teachers, and the disruption in studies led to students skipping classes. Since the school’s transformation, children have been motivated and excited to attend. The teachers have also joined in,” remarked Head Master P.L Nag, reflecting on the positive ripple effects of the students’ efforts.
The story of the upper primary government school in Madnar is not just about a physical facelift but a testament to the transformative power of collective action, community engagement, and the spirit of those determined to create positive change. As the colourful school building now stands tall against the backdrop of the Naxal-affected region, it serves as a beacon of hope, reminding everyone that even in the most challenging circumstances, unity and determination can carve a path toward a brighter future.
The journey of this school’s change began when the school’s junior-most Mathematics Teacher, Shiv Charan Sahu, saw an opportunity for transformation. After the ripple effects of the Covid pandemic in the year 2020, escalating his passion for art and craft, Sahu, apart from his subject, began teaching the children of standard six to eight various forms of arts, including wooden art, wall painting, and many more, with a motive to not just make them learn temporarily but permanently so that they could use this creativity in their future ahead.
In the aftermath of Covid, the charming school had completely fallen into despair as the strength of the students also declined. The premises created an uninviting atmosphere. Determined to turn things around, he decided to involve students actively in the process. Popular among the students, he started discussing ideas of creativity with them. Under his guidance, gradually a chain of students started attending these discussions, and with growing interest, boys and girls decided to join the team.
This team became the driving force behind the school’s facelift. To begin with the art activities, those who loved paintings were provided with colors, and crayons, while those who were interested in gardening were directed for saplings, flowers, soil, and watering, and those who were interested in wooden arts were given the materials. These materials were brought from his savings.
Initially, the students of classes six to eight made small key rings, god’s sculptures, and nameplates. While some students made the outlines of the picture that had to be carved, some marked it on the wood, some chiseled it, and some carved it. Vishnu Sori, Khilendra Baghel, Majnu Sori, Gajendra, Devansh, Rajesh Sori, Jitesh Thakur and Rameshwar are some of the students who have learned it perfectly, said Sahu.
While students including Sanjay Yadav, Sagar Sori, Dilip Yadav, Nikku Sori, Rohit Samrat, Sagar Korram, Nitesh Gendre, Khilendra Thakur, Neha Baghel, Kiran Thakur are masters in painting. There are several wall paintings, garden paintings, and decorations in school that have been painted by these students, he further added.
All these students have not just learned and finished but they are invited to different exhibitions or camps organized around the state to display their creative talent.
The result was nothing short of extraordinary – the school now resembled a vibrant fun park, a testament to the collective effort poured into its transformation.
What made this endeavor truly unique was the self-reliance of the team. Instead of relying solely on external assistance, they took matters into their own hands, demonstrating the power of unity and community spirit. Even on Sundays, a day typically reserved for rest, the students gathered to paint and carve different areas of the building, infusing it with life and color.
As the weeks turned into months, the metamorphosis extended beyond the school building to include a once-neglected garden on the premises. The students, armed with brushes and a shared vision, worked tirelessly to breathe new life into every corner of their learning environment. The vibrant transformation did not go unnoticed; soon, the local community and students from neighboring villages were drawn to the school, admiring the tangible impact of the students’ dedication.
However, the journey did not end with the physical transformation of the school. The students played a proactive role in raising awareness within and beyond their village. Village-to-village programs, rallies, and human chains became mediums through which they communicated the importance of education and community involvement.
Their actions resonated far beyond the immediate vicinity, inspiring other schools and communities to take charge of their destinies. “There was a time when our school lacked teachers, and the disruption in studies led to students skipping classes. Since the school’s transformation, children have been motivated and excited to attend. The teachers have also joined in,” remarked Head Master P.L Nag, reflecting on the positive ripple effects of the students’ efforts.
The story of the upper primary government school in Madnar is not just about a physical facelift but a testament to the transformative power of collective action, community engagement, and the spirit of those determined to create positive change. As the colourful school building now stands tall against the backdrop of the Naxal-affected region, it serves as a beacon of hope, reminding everyone that even in the most challenging circumstances, unity and determination can carve a path toward a brighter future.
