School time at Tikri for kids of migrants

Ravinder Saini

Tribune News Service

Jhajjar, March 1

A group of activists supporting protesting farmers has opened a “kisan school” at the Tikri border to teach children of migrant labourers living nearby.

Two retired teachers from Haryana, and one each from Rajasthan and Punjab.

Retired teachers from Haryana, Rajasthan and Punjab teach Hindi, English, maths and science every day. About 40 students attend the “kisan school” from 4 pm to 6 pm.

Soon, notebooks, books, school bags, black boards, study charts and other items were arranged.

After the programme at the main stage conclude at 3 pm, two retired teachers from Haryana, one each from Rajasthan and Punjab start preparing for the classes. They have been associated with the agitation since November, when the agitation began. At 4 pm, students start coming.

One of the retired teachers Shamsher Singh Krantikari said, “After having learnt about the ‘kisan school’, I felt the need to contribute to this noble initiative. I feel satisfied by teaching these children mathematics.”

Sometimes, youths who visit the Tikri border for a short stay pitch in and teach students voluntarily, Malik said. “We are planning to get the students enrolled in nearby government schools.”

Anoop Singh, a biomedical engineer camping at Tikri, said: “The students have a good grasping power. They can excel in studies if given a proper setting.”

Besides studies, the children play cricket and badminton with the equipment provided by the activists. Studies and sports go hand in hand at the farmers’ protest.

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