This scholar is in a different ‘class’
ALLAHABAD: The children in the mini class of a research scholar on Hindu hostel campus are brimming with confidence as they learn how to write sentences in English and paint their imagination on the drawing papers. The class that began on September 1, 2010 on the hostel campus with just a handful of children of labourers and rickshaw pullers now has over 20 students right from class 1 to 4.
It all started with a dream of Pramod Sharma, a research scholar at the Allahabad University, of imparting quality education to underprivileged children who used to waste their time playing with stray animals near the hostel.
“These children were though enrolled at higher primary school in Katra but due to lack of motivation and coaching none of them was interested in academics. Being children of labourers, rickshaw pullers and some semi skilled workers making bamboo items, they had little access to modern amenities,” said Sharma, who has qualified the junior research fellowship.
Talking to Hindustan Times, Sharma said the idea of starting a mini school for these children struck him about three years back when he saw these children playing in mud near the hostel gate.
“They were even unaware of the fact that they were also part of the society. After much convincing, their parents agreed to send them for coaching,” he recalls.
According to him, he also got the inspiration from his mother who’s a teacher at junior high school in Basti.
“We also arrange books, bag, pencil, crayons etc for them so that they can be motivated to attend the class regularly. Locals also donate clothes and stationary items for the education of these kids,” he added.
Sharma also said the total 20 kids enrolled in his class, four are in class 3, 4 in class 2 and others in class 1 and 4.
“Their academic records are improving as they also enjoy studying in the class. But due to several reasons, many students drop out of the class. Even today a girl Komal, who paints really well, left the class as her conservative parents feel that she has grown up and so should not be sent to coaching,” he informed.
Sharma said others including Manish Yadav, Brijesh Shukla, Manmohan Singh and Dharmendra Sahu also helped him in running the class.