Upgraded Middle School, Kolpara - McCluskiegunj

On Friday, 15th May 2015, I accompanied a newspaper reporter friend of mine to one government Upgraded Middle School. I have seen other UMS as well but was surprised by this particular one situated at Kolpara near Chatti Nadi Village here in McCluskiegunj.

The Team

Mr. Sudhanshu Srivastava (Principal)

I met the Principal Mr. Sudhanshu Kumar Srivastava and his four teaching staff who were more than obliged to show us around and to explain to us the system and functioning of the school.We started with the kitchen.

Rice and eggs boiling for Friday's midday meal

As per the government rules, free midday meals are provided to all the students that include children studying in eight classes, class I to VIII. There was a fireplace built of mud. It had logs of wood burning under it to boil the rice and the eggs that were on the menu for the day. Due to the wood fire, the walls were quite black but it was very clean otherwise. This school follows a menu that has additional items to go with the normally supplied stuff by the government such as pickles.

The weekly menu

Those pink coloured cards suspended above the students are cards which have words printed on one side and the object representing the words on the other side.

Then we went to take a look into the classrooms. Here again I noted that there were using teaching aids in the lower classes. This is not to be seen in all such schools. Mr. Srivastava has included extra books into the curriculum to help the children learn English. He takes separate classes to teach the children spoken English. Common words and sentences though. Please, thank you, my name is, I live in/at etc.

The school Time-Table

He has a printed time-table pasted on the office cupboard which determines which teacher teaches which subject and on which days. Each teacher has to fill in a lesson plan copy which has been additionally introduced into the school at his expense. He also gifts pencils and erasers to kids and pays for them from his own pocket. Mr. Srivastava is indeed the Principal all the UMS deserve. He is dedicated and works in a team. He emphasizes on games and sports as well. He did mention that the school lacks a lot in terms of infrastructure.

The toilets and the hand-pump. The hand-pump, only source of drinking and washing water 

There is need of proper boundary walls and toilets. Currently there is a toilet for boys and girls separately under one roof but it isn't enough. There is a  boundary wall but only on one side. He was pleased to allow me put this article and these pictures on this blog and hopes it will be an inspiration to others in charge of other UMS and also it helps the government in learning where it needs to concentrate for the proper development and requirements of such schools.

Watch Tower : McCluskiegunj Hill : Tourist Attraction

Good news for McCluskiegunj!

Once upon a time, there used to be a watch tower (wooden) on a hill at McCluskiegunj. It was there till the seventies but as the old settlers left or isolated themselves in their homes, the tower was part by part taken away by villagers to make furniture or to use as firewood. Sad but true.

The hill that it was built on is at a triangle that touches three villages. Hesalong, Lapra and Konka. It is said that from the tower distant places such as Khalari were easily visible.

Since McCluskiegunj has been declared a Tourist Centre, there has been demands of making it more attractive and making it a reason for people to long to visit the place.

The State Forest Department has finally taken the first step in this direction and has now started building a similar tower in the same location. It is believed that the hill that the tower is being built on, will be walled off and more trees will be planted. It will also have steps from the foot of the hill to the top where the tower is being constructed.

Isn't this something to share?