PUNE: Twelve-hour classes all year round, creative writing skills that eclipse those of their peers and multiplication tables memorized up to 1000. A school in a backwater of Nashik is creating ripples with all that and more, attracting Education in Maharastra Minister Dada Bhuse to the remote tribal village just weeks after taking office.
However, the genius kids at Zilla Parisad School in Hiwali village in Trimbakeshwar Taluka are not bookworms. They combine classroom lessons with practical skills such as welding, electrical work and organic farming, reflecting a holistic approach to education.
Most of those achievements have been achieved thanks to the innovative efforts of Keshav Gavit. “This extraordinary commitment to learning not only fostered a deep love of school among the children but also cultivated remarkable academic skills in them,” Gavit said.
Interacting with students when he visited Hiwali for a first-hand tour of the school last week, Bhuse was amazed by their enthusiasm and thirst for knowledge, and amazed by the dexterity of some who could write with both hands. It was a testament to the power of perseverance and the transformative impact of quality education. “The emphasis on English speaking, general knowledge and arts, along with the students’ growing of organic vegetables, shows an inclusive and expansive educational model,” he said.
Hiwali’s educational transformation began in 2009, when the village, with limited access to basic services, had only nine students. The challenges were enormous as a significant portion of the village population had minimal exposure to education. Through persistent efforts, home visits and a focus on improving basic reading, writing and numeracy skills, the foundation for a better future was laid. “In 2014, the school started to flourish,” Gavit said. He said Bhuse spoke about presenting the school as a model for educational excellence in the state.
