In a small but significant development that may not grab eyeballs across the country, Assam has emerged as the top ranked State under the Scheme Vidyanjali 2.0. The scheme is an initative of the Ministry of Education, Government of India to uplift the standard of education and infrastructure in schools across the country through voluntary contribution primarily from their alma mater and also citizens who have the welfare of the society in mind.
The State, deservingly so, has occupied the first position in the ranking in volunteer registration and asset/materials contribution. Those interested in statistics may take satisfaction from the fact that hitherto 30,866 volunteers have registered to give back something to the institute in which they had studied, or in some cases a school of their choice.
The fact that 27,022 ceiling fans and hundreds of furniture materials have been donated is not important. But what comes to the fore is the giver’s mentality. The State can be proud of its citizens on this score alone. What should be kept in mind while trying to understand this phenomenon is that more than 95% of schools in Assam are founded by locals of an area which then take shape in the hands of the Government to become provincialized institutions. Hence, an emotional connection takes shape at a very early age. Most of the teachers who join these schools are not the ones who look for employment, they come because they want to give back to the society.
In an accompanying report in this newsletter, we have highlighted specific cases of individuals, alumni and villages having come forward to give whatever they could to such institutions. Their testimony is also a shining example that they still regard an educational institution dearer to them although their sons and daughters or wards may no longer be part of the same school.
Vidyanjali 2.0 is also a reminder of the duty that teachers have towards their students as well as the responsibility that the State Government has for improving the overall education scenario, especially in the rural areas.
