The school of dream
Twelve-year-old Jannati’s dream of going to school was far-fetched because she had to get up early every day and accompany her mother Sukhi Begum for work.
Members of the underprivileged Manta community, the two work as housemaids to make ends meet. Her father owns a small boat and earns a living by fishing.
Just recently, she heard about an initiative taken by a group of youths to educate the poor children. She decided to go check out the place and that is how she came to find out about Swapno Puron School (the school to fulfil dreams).
“I thought I would never go to school in my life. Just the prospect makes me so happy now,” said Jannati, who lives in a shanty near Galachipa launch terminal area of Patuakhali.
“I attend classes every day with my friends, and it is a great opportunity for us. I am learning to read and write here.”
The school was the brainchild of seven youths in the area, all of them undergraduate students at local colleges. They decided to educate the children of the ultra-poor and Manta families, who would otherwise never get a chance to study.
The Manta are a small community of nomadic people who move from one place to another and live on fishing.
Sakib Hasan, one of the founders of the school and a studentof Government BM College in Barishal, said, “These children are deprived of their basic rights. Our decision to start this school was driven by our conscience and desire to make a change.”
The other founders are Toufiq Raian, Joana Hossen Miki, Ritu Paul, Mirajul Islam, Shuvo Islam and Hujjatul Islam of Galachipa Government Degree College, and Sukhi Akhter of Galachipa Women College.
They began giving lessons under a banyan tree in the old launch terminal area in Galachipa in March 2017 with 28 students. Currently, there are 85 students, 47 of whom are girls.
They conduct the classes from 3:00pm to 5:00pm so that the children can complete their work in the morning with their families and then join.
Alongside academic lessons, the students take part in cultural activities like singing, dancing, poetry recital, and acting.
At the end of their lessons, the students are given some snacks like biscuits.
“These children have dreams of becoming teachers, police officers and doctors when they grow up,” Sakib told The Daily Star over phone last month.
The children are taught basic mathematics, Bangla and English from school textbooks of first and second grades. After completing education here, they move to primary schools.
Impressed by the initiative, many people in the area have come forward with helping hands.
“I want to be a part of such a philanthropic act. That‘s why I provide free treatment and medical services to the children by visiting the school once a month, or when necessary,” said Md Golam Mostafa Sikder, a medical officer at Galachipa Upazila Health Complex.
The funding of the school mainly comes from the founders, while many people have supported their initiative. They use the money to buy books, stationeries, and snacks for the children.
Many a time, it becomes a burden for these college students to find time to impart lessons and maintain expenses. They urge the government to give support to the school.
Talking to The Daily Star, Galachipa Upazila Primary Education Officer Mir Rezaul Islam said he heard about the school, but none requested for any support yet. “If someone asks, I’ll try to help.”
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