Bhan Sahu

Bhan Sahu thought being poor meant walking a kilometer to school and then having to drop out when she was eight years old, until she started working at an NGO and realized there were others even less fortunate than herself. Her interest in education didn’t wane, however. Using video as a tool to bring people together, her Community Correspondent reports for IndiaUnheard focuses on education and the rights of tribal people.

The absence of teachers all over Chhattisharh, due to census work, drastically affects students’ education.

Kuldeep Kumar Kurre teaches in the Machandur’s government primary school, in Chhattisgarh. With the help of the only other teacher, he has to teach the students and manage the school. This means a hectic routine for both teachers, who usually have very busy days at work.

The situation sharply deteriorated when Kuldeep was assigned as a Census surveyor for the area, during the two phases of the census, in 2010 and 2011.

“The teacher was absent for one month each time. His absence had a very negative effect on the students education. Students were left with only one teacher, overloaded by work. So lessons could not be completed on time, and pupils’ work and progress could not be followed up by their teacher,” explained Bhan Sahu, our Community Correspondent in Chhattisgarh.

Most of the students in Machandur’s primary school are from the weakest sections of society. Education is precious for them, and it requires special attention from the government to ensure that quality education is delivered to them.

Bhan Sahu, whose children also go to a government school, wishes her video will help solve the problem, and ensure that a substitute teacher is assigned every time staff members are absent.