Video Volunteers (VV) runs India's only reporting network that's focused exclusively on providing broad coverage from the poorest, most media-dark districts in India. We currently have 206 individuals trained across India's most diverse and marginalised communities, who all earn a living as a VV Community Correspondent (CC). Our goal is to grow our network to ensure India's poorest and most…

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Whether it be a primary school in Chhatisgarh or a secondary school in Odisha one common factor shines through. Their shining eyes. The children come to school, uniforms clean, with the joy of learning giving them hope for a better future. Their parents take pride in their lessons, even if they themselves may not have formal education themselves.

Contrary to common misconceptions, many of the village schools even have headmasters, school teachers, who help in creating an environment for books and studies. The problems faced by them are very different.

Take the case of Bijabhata village of Balod District, Chhatisgarh. Where the primary schoolchildren are huddled under a leaking roof in one room to study. And play in the mud at play time. As reported by Bhan Sahu, community correspondent, India Unheard.

The Headmaster and teachers made 2 or 3 applications and complaints of the bad conditions to the office of the District Education Officer. An engineer was appointed to make plans for an improved layout of the school, with necessary repairs for a leak-proof roof and a better play area. The engineer has come and gone and nothing gets better, only worse.

Kumandi village in Odisha in another case in point. As reported by Bideshini of India Unheard. 94 children with 5 teachers in the secondary school are willing and eager to pursue higher studies. Yet part of the school is badly damaged. Parts are dilapidated. There are cracks in the walls and ceilings.

The school has been in existence since 1941. And started as a sound structure. Parts of the classrooms are now dangerous for the children and teachers. Things have come to such a pass that many parents are too scared to send them. These children have no other village school to go to. The Block Education Officer concerned must see to the repairs on a war footing.

Other village schools face the same fate. And the children could become like their parents before them. Will semi-skilled jobs at best. 

Community correspondent Bhan Sahu from Chhattisgarh and Bideshini from Odisha report for Video Volunteers.

This video was made by a Video Volunteers Community Correspondent. Community Correspondents come from marginalised communities in India and produce videos on unreported stories. These stories are ’news by those who live it.’  they give the hyperlocal context to global human rights and development challenges. See more such videos at www.videovolunteers.org. Take action for a more just global media by sharing their videos and joining in their call for change.