Classroom on wheels to teach slum kids
VARANASI: ‘Shiksha Express’, a bus converted into a classroom on wheels, has been launched to impart education to the children living in different slums in the city.
A Varanasi Municipal Corporation initiative, the high-tech classroom is equipped with the state of the art facilities and has seating arrangements for 35 children. Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched it in his parliamentary constituency Varanasi on February 16. A brainchild of Varanasi Municipal Commissioner Gaurang Rathi, the Shiksha Express will go to slum daily to teach children.
“At least two teachers will remain onboard. They will teach children between 4pm and 7pm daily through project and smart medium of teaching. A record of the children who attend the classes will also be maintained,” said Rathi.
As of now, arrangement of five teachers has been made.
Try to Fight Foundation is partnering with the VMC to will provide teachers and educate kids. “It will teach children in a particular slum for about one month or two months and then will move on to other one,” said Rathi.
The VMC has spent Rs 4.5 lakh to convert an old bus into Shiksha Express.
“There is a projector and a black board. Fans and projectors on it run by solar energy,” said Rathi.
“It is an effort to take the classroom to the doorstep of the children,” Rathi insisted.
If all goes well, Rathi said, the Varanasi Municipal Corporation would try to convert some more buses into the express.