Staff turn the page for Balbehra govt elementary school

Karam Prakash

Tribune News Service

Patiala, November 16

The staff of the Government Elementary School in Balbehra village, Patiala, are on a mission turnaround. With no help from any quarter, including the state government, the school staff have changed the face of the school on their own.

Over the last one year, the school staff led by school in-charge, Satish Vidhrohi, have spent more than Rs 2 lakh from their pockets for the uplift of the school. From fixing the concrete-interlocking-tiles, for outdoor flooring, to installing a CCTV system, the cost of everything was borne by the faculty. Giving a run for their money to the five private schools in the area; the school walls have been decorated with artwork, poems, and educative information.

To emulate the standards of the private schools, the school staff have already made school uniforms and student ID cards compulsory. Unlike other government schools, the said school holds cultural and annual function, every year.

Improvement in infrastructure, it seems, has made it possible to increase the students’ strength from 132 in 2017 to 182 this year. Owing to his commendable work, teacher Satish Vidhrohi has received best teacher’s state award at a state-level function, on August 15, this year.

The face behind the turnaround, Satish Vidhrohi, said, “I think, to impart quality education, we need to improve our infrastructure, therefore, our school staff contributed to uplift the infrastructure. More than Rs 2 lakh has already been spent on the school to make the changes.”

However, teachers said no one from the Education Department has come — even once — to appreciate our efforts. In charge said, “If the department can’t provide us with money for the school uplift, at least, they should recognise our efforts to motivate the staff.”

Interestingly, the school has received, only Rs 1,000, from the government for the upkeep, this year, claimed the staff.