Kedarnath Vidyapith Middle School

Gazipur, West Bengal, India

This middle school for about 300 coeducation students of 6th to 9th grade in this remote village was in dire need of refurbishing, electrification and building toilet facilities.

During the last one year we have made the following improvements and provisions:

• A teacher’s room has been reconstructed with a cement floor, painted walls, and windows.
• Toilets for students (one for boys and one for girls) have been constructed. Another toilet for the teachers has also been added.
• A boundary wall demarcating the school has been constructed and a main gate has been installed. This not only keeps the stray animals away but also provides a good school environment where the students can concentrate on the academic lessons and sports activities.
• An important achievement was getting electricity connection for the school. Flourescent lights and 2-3 ceiling fans have been installed in each class.
• A new library-room with a cement floor as well as four windows was constructed. A number of books for different classes and different subjects were purchased. Five new metal cabinets were purchased for filing the books. One big table with benches was provided for the students to sit and study. The library allows the students, especially the poor ones, greater access to books, and also a place to study.

Scholarship program

We have started a scholarship program for the talented but deprived students. Ten secondary school students (5 girls and 5 boys) are chosen annually to be supported with books and writing materials. The desire being to ensure that no bright student has to leave their studies mid-way for want of support. In addition to these, three more students who had passed out from the school and are going for higher education are supported for their study material and tuitions fees. One student is also receiving support for his boarding and lodging expenses.

Our future plans include expansion of class rooms to accommodate more students and avoid congestion. We are working on starting establishing a computer training center for the students as well as the teachers. We need to expand our scholarship provisions to the senior students for continuation of higher studies.