VELLORE: Most of the parents would enrol their kids to private schools for better education and a healthy environment. Located at old town in the district, Corporation Refaul Elementary School would not have been in the wishlist of most parents unless the school headmaster had taken novel efforts to change school’s outlook.
In the year 2012, the total strength of this school was just four. But presently the scenario is different and the same school has a strength of 25 students. None of the government officials and political parties can claim the credit for this drastic change.
At a time when teachers have to fight for rights and facilities for their schools, Syed Khalim Ahamed, Headmaster, made a difference. He spends close to Rs 3,500 from his own pocket, in order to provide facilities on par with well established private schools, to the children under his care.
“When I took over the school in 2012 as the head master, I was quite underwhelmed by its strength. It was apparently a pitiable situation for government schools. I resolved to make a change. I did not wheedle any parents to admit children in the school nor I assured them of quality and caring,” said Syed.
He made the environment congenial to students by making the classrooms brimming with antique collections, old coins, toys, decorative pots and objects, all were brought with his monthly income. With help from good Samaritans, he planted 12 saplings in 2012 for making the school an eco-friendly place.
Located at old town in Vellore district, the school admits students from class I to class V. The school premise was a safe haven for miscreants who indulged in anti-social activities until last year when they were asked to abandon the premises after years of persuasion and cajoling.
Moreover, various steps were taken- promoting savings among girl students by opening postal accounts under ‘Beti Bachao Beti Padhao’ scheme, a social campaign by the central government to spread awareness and improve the efficiency of welfare services intended for girls, spreading dengue awareness by encouraging every student to wear T-shirts, which were offered to them free of cost by the head master himself, imprinted with dengue message.
A total of 12 girls and 13 boys, between class I and class V, are studying in the school. On an average, the headmaster spends Rs 3,500 per month for all the students buying them snacks.
“We have opened five savings accounts in the post office for five girls and a special child, student of class V receives monthly allowances of Rs 1,500 under ‘Sarva Shikska Abhiyan’ and two special children receive Rs 300 per month under ‘Escort Allowance’,” said Syed.
Reiterating on the importance of savings, especially for a girl child, Syed pitched in Rs 1,000 for each of the five students to open accounts under ‘Beti Bachai Beti Padhao’.
Now, the parents are prompted to invest in their children’s account with Rs 200 every month.
Welcome initiative
Syed Khalim Ahamed, Headmaster, made the environment congenial to students by making the classrooms brimming with antique collections, old coins, toys, decorative pots and objects, all were brought
with his monthly income. With help from Samaritans, he planted 12 saplings in 2012 for making the school an eco-friendly place. Various steps were taken- promoting savings among girl students, spreading dengue awareness by encouraging every student to wear T-shirts, which were offered to them free of cost by the headmaster himself