Bengal Educator Launches 'Tree School' Inspired by Tagore to Curb Student Dropouts

In the Wake of COVID-19, Angshuman Thakur's Open-Air School Combines Practical Learning, Nature, and Culture to Empower First-Generation Learners in Murshidabad

In response to the challenges faced by students during the COVID-19 pandemic in Murshidabad, West Bengal, Angshuman Thakur took an innovative approach to education by launching the 'Anirvana Gacher Iskul' in 2021. Drawing inspiration from Rabindranath Tagore’s Santiniketan, this open-air school emphasizes practical learning intertwined with nature, culture, and entrepreneurship, aiming to support first-generation learners from tribal communities.

Biplab, an eighth-grade student from the Bagdabra forest area in Murshidabad, represents many students who struggled when the pandemic forced schools to shut down. With limited access to online education and essential resources, children like Biplab began accompanying their parents to work, resulting in widespread school dropouts.

Moved by this situation, Angshuman, a Bengali literature professor at Prof Syed Nurul Hasan College, began providing mid-day meals and open-air classes to five children under the shade of trees. Guided by the holistic principles he learned at Visva Bharati University, Angshuman's initiative grew rapidly. Today, the school educates over 105 students, operating solely on donations and his personal savings.

The school's name, 'Anirvana Gacher Iskul,' reflects its mission: 'Anirvana' meaning inextinguishable, and 'Gach' meaning tree. Here, education extends beyond textbooks, focusing on environmental awareness and creativity. Concepts are taught through examples from the surrounding nature, fostering a deeper connection with the environment.

The school day begins at 6:30 am, providing breakfast and following the government curriculum with a unique twist. Subjects like poetry, history, and science are taught using real-life examples found in nature. Professional artists are invited to teach the children skills like clay modeling, enhancing their creativity with locally available materials.

Recognizing the school's success, the local village leader offered the community center for classes during the rainy season. Angshuman's future plans include acquiring land to build an eco-friendly campus, complete with a computer lab and library. He also envisions fostering entrepreneurship among the students to uplift the local economy and improve livelihoods in the community.

Through 'Anirvana Gacher Iskul,' Angshuman Thakur is not just providing education; he's sowing the seeds of a brighter future for an entire village.

Reference:

thebetterindia.com