One of our most significant achievements has been our role in reversing the trend of migration from rural areas to cities in search of quality education. In the Garhwal region, many families felt compelled to leave their ancestral homes due to the lack of good schools. However, SFMS has successfully brought this trend to a halt for many families. Our focus on providing high-quality education has led to the return of over 10 families from cities back to their villages. Additionally, we have successfully retained more than 80 families who were on the verge of leaving. By offering an education that rivals urban schools, we have provided these families with the confidence to stay in their communities, preserving their cultural heritage while ensuring their children receive a top-tier education.
The COVID-19 pandemic significantly affected educational institutions worldwide, including SFMS. Despite the challenges faced by larger institutions, we remained committed to continuing our operations with renewed energy and determination. However, the financial burden on educational institutions, including ours, has been considerable. The pandemic has exacerbated our existing financial difficulties, leaving us struggling with a lack of resources. Despite these setbacks, we have worked tirelessly to support our students and maintain the quality of education.
Currently, SFMS has 57 students ranging from Lower Kindergarten to Class 8. The school is registered with the Uttarakhand Board of Education under the Right to Education Act.
There were many challenges to teaching as many of our students were labeled ‘un-teachable’ by other schools. As a result, too many children believed themselves to be dull and incapable of learning. We have worked very hard to show these children, through different methods, that they are capable of learning through hard work, study, and above all perseverance.
Both Rahul Shah and Dilwar Singh realized early on that we needed to incorporate methods to build mental skills thus allowing the children to visualize concepts. We incorporate projects that encourage the children to work through problems so they develop understanding through doing and feel the sense of accomplishment once they have mastered a task. For our children, this technique has paid off tremendously. Children who were labeled in their previous schools as ‘unteachable’ are excelling and gaining tremendous confidence as a result. As teachers, we need to recognize that every child is different and that they learn in different ways and it is our job to find the way to teach to each and every one of them. This can only be accomplished through small class sizes where the children receive one on one interaction with the teacher.
Education in impoverished areas such as ours however, requires more than good teaching methods and books. At the same time we outfit our children with school uniforms. Thanks to donations from good
hearted people we have been able to provide our children with shirt, trouser and coat for the colder months, We believe that in order to function to their full potential, a child should look and feel good too. Through donations we have also been able to provide our children with books, sports toys and track suits and stationary supplies.
Since 2016 more than 190 students were registered in our school. Currently, over half of our children are speaking, reading and writing in English. Our children work hard, because they know they have to. Initially, students aspired to modest careers, such as, “A gatekeeper, an army man, a home maker, a hotel worker, a driver and so on. Their dreams were small. But over time, they have come to realize that with good education and hard work anything is possible. Ask any of our children today what they want to be when they grow up and they will tell you, “An engineer, a doctor, an administrative officer, a lawyer, a pilot, a teacher, a business person.”
Shrichand Fauji Memorial School continues to be a beacon of hope for children in the Garhwal region, providing them with the tools and opportunities needed to achieve their dreams and build a brighter future. Despite the challenges posed by the pandemic, our commitment to education and our students remains unwavering.