Upgrading Mota and Vaghvala Primary Schools India
The Challenge
There is a common misconception that children in developing countries are getting a full educational experience because the nation provides ‘free education ’. In many countries, the concept of free education simply means the provision of a classroom and a teacher. However, some critical components of a balanced education and child development remain unavailable. These include missing a library, an assembly or dining hall, or an appropriate playground just to name a few. Two primary schools in the poor region of Gujarat state in India were identified where in one of them there was no assembly/dining hall and in the other, there was no playground. Mota Primary School in Mota, Bardoli lacked a proper hall for meetings and a place for the students to have their lunches. At the Vaghvala Primary School in Vaghvala Village, Borsad there was an obvious need for a safe and stimulating playground..
The Innovation
The Sumar Lakhani Foundation and Tiny Smiling Faces of New York state organized the local communities to design, plan and help build an assembly/dining hall and a jungle gym for the children to meet, eat, play, and socialize. Villagers who live near the school contributed some building materials to the construction process. An assembly hall was constructed at the Mota Primary School and a jungle gym was installed at Vaghvala Primary School on land provided by the school principal. The villagers contributed sand for a soft landing and a fence around the playground. The jungle gym would remain open for use by all children in the community.
Long Term Impact
The assembly hall at the Mota Primary School is now open and in regular use. The children assemble in the hall in the morning before school starts. Special events such as graduation ceremonies, plays, dances, and celebrations are held in the hall for the benefit of the entire village. The students no longer have their lunches outside but have a sheltered place to eat, meet and socialize. As for the Vaghvala School jungle gym, this has become the focal point for the children before school starts and during recess. Even children who do not attend this school are allowed to use the playground after school hours and over the weekends.
Quoting Arun Patel of Tiny Smiling Faces ‘After our involvement at both of these schools kids are benefiting not only from the playground and Open Assembly Hall but these projects have lifted the spirits of both teachers and kids. Many other donors have come forward to support these two schools.’
