The Uttar Dinajpur district administration in West Bengal has undertaken the ‘GYANALAY’ project to improve government school infrastructure in a phased manner.
In the first phase, initially, 98 schools were selected, which is one school in every gram panchayat. The figure has now risen to 200 schools. The authorities said that all 2,937 government and government-aided schools in the district will be brought under the project.
As part of the initiative, the schools will get kitchen gardens, a 75-inch interactive display board, internet connectivity, libraries, and book banks, among others. Moreover, sports and leisure facilities, and toilets are being upgraded and RO water purifiers are being installed in school premises.
Surendra Kumar Meena, District Magistrate, Uttar Dinajpur, told The Indian Express, “Uttar Dinajpur has one of the lowest literacy rates in the country, it is a backward district. We have taken this initiative (GYANALAY) since last year. This is being done so that this backward district can be brought forward. We are providing the best education and now several private schools in the district are also approaching us…”
Moumita Bashak, a teacher in Baluchukha Free Primary School, Goalpokhar-I Development Block, said, “The children are very excited, they cannot even imagine that learning can be so joyful. We have got a big screen for the first time, and it can be used to teach children through colourful presentations. New benches, more fans, and lights have been provided. The infrastructure of the classrooms has improved.”
She added that the number of students attending classes has shot up. “Most of the students are first-generation learners, previously we had to persuade them to come but now they themselves are coming to classrooms… there are extra curricular activities also like dance and drawing,” Bashak said.
Sagar Das of Mahinagar school in Kaliyaganj said, “The work in the classrooms is over. We have been given an RO machine — this was really required. Also, the classroom floors now have tiles, something that the students could never imagine. The environment is joyful now. In this competitive world, we need these teaching materials so that our students can also compete.”
Kamal Kumar Modak of Bhupal Chandra Vidyapith (HS), Raiganj Block, said his school was the only school selected in the area for the project. “Parents are travelling 8 to 10 kms and seeking admission for their wards here because of interactive learning. Previously, we did not have good toilets for girl students. But under this initiative, the toilets have been revamped and the number of toilets also increased. A sanitary pad vending machine has been installed. This will help in increasing awareness regarding hygiene,” he added.
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