Flood-hit Punjab kids face uncertain future; teacher battles odds to bring them back to school

Children displaced by the recent floods in Dhakka Basti village are struggling to return to school. Teachers and education officials have been visiting the makeshift settlements on the bandh to motivate them to return to school.

With their homes submerged and the Government Primary School in Dhakka Basti completely underwater, the students are now living under tarpaulin shelters.

In response, the Education Department has arranged for these students to attend classes at the Government School in Mundi Kasu. On Tuesday, Block Primary Education Officer (BPEO) Lohian visited the bandh, urging parents to send their children back to school.

Children from Dhakka Basti who study at the Government Middle School Mundi Cholian also missed their school today. Although their school building remains undamaged, many of the students are displaced and unable to concentrate on their studies, and some are living at the relative's place.

Kulwinder Singh, head teacher at the Government Middle School, has taken it upon himself to visit the bandh every day, motivating students to resume their education.

“Examinations are scheduled to begin next week,” said Singh. “The students can’t study properly in these conditions, so I’ve been urging them to return to school so we can help them prepare.”

Despite the relentless efforts of dedicated teachers like Singh, the trauma of displacement and ongoing hardship continues to pose challenge.

13-year-old Suneha Kaur, who is living on bandh, said that her exams were approaching, but she was unable to study or even think of right now.