With no access to school, mid-day meal cook’s home doubles up as classroom

In the aftermath of devastating floods, Government Primary School, Dhakka Basti — one of the worst affected schools — is battling tough conditions to ensure that the education of its students does not come to a halt.

The school building is in dire need of cleaning. Despite efforts by the staff to restore the premises, recurring floodwaters have made the task difficult. A few days

ago, teachers had cleaned the school, but the water has returned.

With no functioning school building to return to, classes have now been shifted to the home of the school’s mid-day meal cook. More than 40 students are currently attending their lessons in the temporary set-up — a modest home.

Yet, the commitment of the teaching staff is unwavering. A team of three dedicated teachers continues to walk 1.5 kilometers daily through damaged roads and muddy paths to reach the makeshift classroom. Their determination stems from a shared belief: that no child’s education should suffer due to natural calamities.

School in-charge, Prabhjinder Singh, expressed the resolve of the teachers, saying, “We do not want them to lose touch, and that would only happen if we (teachers) meet them daily. We can do anything for our students.”

Without conventional teaching aids, the teachers are improvising — using notebooks and verbal lessons to keep the learning going. Students, despite the challenges, attend regularly, their enthusiasm a reflection of the teachers’ dedication.

Sarabjit Singh, another teacher, said that in a few days, the teachers will ensure that the school is safe and then the students will shift back to school. “We have been visiting the school daily and carrying out cleaning operations,” he said.