Middle school with four students, one teacher

A plaque was installed at Government Middle School, Dhaingarpur, in Nawanshahr under the 'Punjab Sikhya Kranti' movement that is going on in the state.

Last year, a 20-metre boundary wall was rebuilt in the school. A grant of Rs 1 lakh was spent on it. The school has merely four students with one teacher.

Lalit Mohan, vice-chairman of the State Technical Education and Industrial Training Board, had visited the school to inaugurate the plaque. 'Navi chardiwari da kamm mukammal hon te vidyarthiya nu samarpit kitta', read the plaque.

The Tribune had recently highlighted how Government Middle School in the village has everything, including infrastructure that an ideal school should have. Despite this, the school strength is very less — only four students are studying in the school with just one teacher.

There are three rooms, including a smart room with a projector for Class VI,VII and VIII. The school has a sprawling ground as well and a IT lab with five computers. Mid-day meal is also served here everyday.

Despite having every facility, the strength is negligible. Ramanpreet Kaur, the school in-charge, is a dedicated teacher who has been trying hard to convince parents to send their children to the school. About three years ago, there was just one student left in the school and when Ramanpreet joined as teacher, the students count reached four.

There are two students in Class VI, two in Class VIII and none in Class VII. All four students are girls, Dishmeet Kaur (Class VI) , Ramandeep Kaur (Class VI), Gurjot Kaur (Class VIII), Harmanpreet Kaur (Class VIII).

There used to be 40 students and proper staff in the GMS, Dhaingarpur, a few years ago, but as teachers got transferred with time, the pupil strength dipped. Now, with only one teacher left, the parents avoid sending their wards to this school.