Children learn alphabets, counting at makeshift pathshala in Ghazipur

New Delhi: Around 12 noon, a little far from the sound of speeches and patriotic songs at Ghazipur border, one can hear the voice of young children learning alphabet, poems or counting inside a makeshift “pathshala” in the middle of the protest site.

Seven-year-old Sadhna is coming here to study for the last eight days from nearby Khora village. Now, she is fluent in counting till 50 in English. Another child, Mantisha who used to study in a government school in Ghazipur is continuing to learn English alphabet and several Hindi and English poems here.

She said, “The class begins at 10 am but I come here as early as possible and wait for the class to start. I have made a few friends here. I like it very much.” Their parents work as labourers in nearby places. Since January 22 till date, this “Pathshala” has seen an increase in the number of students. It now has about 70-80 students.

Nirdesh Singh from Mata Savitri Bai Phule Mahasabha, who is running this Pathshala, said, “We have opened a pathshala in a makeshift shelter. We thought of opening this school when we got to know from many that several children present here (Ghazipur) were just spending their days loitering around here and there.”

“Although a few parents have mobile phones with internet access, the connectivity remains very poor in the area. A few carried their school books but preferred not to study. We thought of engaging them in their studies and started this initiative immediately. We believe that education must not be compromised under any circumstances.”

Till January 26, many students whose parents were involved in agricultural activities came here to join the protest. However, after the situation became volatile, a few preferred leaving their child’s education but then the teachers started encouraging the children.

Many children were seen near the protest site who were either picking up garbage or waiting for langar.