CLASSES UNDER A TREE

CLASSES UNDER A TREE

4-AUG-ENG 1

RAJIV NAYAN AGRAWAL

ARA-----------------------On one hand, the Bihar government claims to be transforming the education system into a high-tech one by opening model schools equipped with modern amenities. On the other hand, an image emerging from Bhojpur district exposes the hollowness of these glitzy claims. In reality, hundreds of young children here are still forced to seek their future under the open sky, in the shade of trees. This image raises serious questions about the entire system.

It is worth noting that in the budget for the 2026-27 financial year, the government made a massive allocation of ₹68,216 crore for education—the largest allocation in the state's history. As part of this initiative, 551 'Saraswati Vidya Niketan' schools were grandly inaugurated on July 19, 2026, through a joint effort by the Bihar government and 'Vidya Bharati,' the educational wing of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS). Chief Minister Samrat Chaudhary inaugurated all these schools simultaneously via video conferencing (virtually) from the IOCL Stadium in Begusarai.

Amidst these claims of providing moral and modern education, a photograph from the Babura Urdu Primary School in the Barhara block of Bhojpur is putting the entire system to shame. According to available information, a total of 203 students (from classes 1 to 5) are enrolled at the Babura Urdu Primary School. Although the government has posted 15 teachers here to educate these children, the system has completely failed in terms of infrastructure. The school has only one room available for seating the students. Under these circumstances, the children's future is left to the mercy of God.

The school's headmistress, Rajashree Kumari, stated that this single room has to serve as both a classroom for Grade 1 and an administrative office. Due to the lack of space, classes for students from Grade 2 to Grade 5 are compelled to take place outdoors, under the trees in the school grounds, every day. These innocent children, who study under the open sky, face the harshness of the weather and a daily ordeal.

Whether it is scorching sun, dust storms, or biting cold, these young children are forced to sit in the shade of a tree, lacking the protection of a proper roof. According to the headmistress, the monsoon season brings immense difficulties; there is also the constant danger of dry tree branches suddenly snapping and falling.

"The school has only one room—such as it is—where Class 1 students are taught. Since they are very young, they require careful instruction. This single room serves as both a classroom for Class 1 and an office for administrative work. The monsoon season is particularly difficult, and there is always a risk of dry branches falling. We have submitted written requests to senior officials multiple times, yet no concrete action has been taken." — Rajshree Kumari, Headmistress

The headmistress explained that a new building had been constructed on the school premises, but the project remained incomplete. To this day, doors and windows have not been installed, causing the government building to fall into a state of complete disrepair before it could even be used. According to her, the school administration has repeatedly petitioned senior officials to resolve this issue, but no tangible steps have been taken.

Nirmal Sharma, a 70-year-old local resident and former student of the school, expressed concern over its dilapidated state. He noted that the school was built in 1962, and the situation has remained unchanged ever since. He recalled being a third-grade student at the school back then. It is deeply regrettable that, even 78 years after independence and the passage of six decades, there has been no improvement in the school's condition. The same problems that existed six decades ago persist, and the new generation is still forced to contend with a severe lack of basic infrastructure. "This school was built in 1962, and the situation has remained unchanged ever since; despite the passage of six decades, there has been no improvement in its condition. The same infrastructure deficiencies that existed sixty years ago continue to plague the current generation, leaving them with no choice but to endure the same hardships." – Nirmal Sharma, local resident and school alumnus.

Pinky Kumari, a student at the school, mentioned that the scorching sun causes significant discomfort, while rainfall completely disrupts their studies. Meanwhile, Rohit Kumar, a fifth-grade student, said that the playground turns into a muddy mess during the rains, often forcing them to study while getting wet. These children have demanded that the government construct a permanent and safe school building as soon as possible.

When District Education Officer Manvendra Kumar Rai was approached regarding the matter, he appeared reluctant to speak on camera. However, off-camera, he assured that the issue had been noted and that necessary action would be taken following an investigation. While he offered assurances, the question remains: why does this school remain in such a dilapidated state when the government speaks of a ₹68,000 crore budget and 'model schools'?

The fact that 203 children in Bhojpur are forced to study under a tree casts a serious shadow of doubt over the entire education system and its grand claims. It remains to be seen when the responsible officials and public representatives will finally resolve this long-standing issue facing the school.