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1.8.10

School rents out its ground for weddings, cricket practice

In the 21st century, when everything comes for a price, the Mecosabagh Methodist High School (Marathi medium) stands out for the commitment shown by its staff towards students from poor backgrounds. The school, which was established in 1928, has 17 teaching and two non-teaching employees along with five class-IV employees. All voluntarily contribute to the `Poor Fund' from their monthly salaries. "We don't force anybody to contribute," Michael Samuel Morde, the school principal, says with a smile.

The school caters to around 350 children most of whom hail from slums of Jaripatka, Angulimal Nagar, Gond Mohalla, Lumbini Nagar and Gautam Nagar among others, in 2-3 km radius of the school. Few can afford bicycles and very few are seen parked on the premises.

"After observing for a month, we offer uniforms to only those who have been coming to school in tattered clothes. The measurements are taken by the teachers," said Morde. The school then buys the material at wholesale rates and gives it to an Itwari-based tailor who stitches them at a concessional rate. "By not purchasing readymade uniforms we are able to save a lot of money," he said.

Though textbooks are provided free by the government, students find it hard to purchase notebooks. "We provide them from our `Poor Fund'. We've to work hard for all this exercise, but finally we wish to see a smile on those innocent faces," Morde added.

The teachers also contacted some sponsors and had procured all-weather China-made shoes for all the students. "We handed it over to them on Republic Day earlier this year. The footwear is of excellent quality and lasts long. It also helps to prevent foot-related skin diseases. We have also gifted second-hand bicycles to many students," he said.

The school is facing funds crunch as the state government has stopped non-salary grant of all schools. "We find it difficult to maintain the building and adjacent grounds. Since we're already contributing for the `Poor Fund', it is not possible for contributing for the maintenance. The building really looks old now," Morde said.

Money collected from renting out the ground for marriages and cricket practice is used to pay the power and water bills. "Sundry expenses too have to be taken care of," he said.

The principal said serving meals under the mid-day scheme too is becoming difficult. "Yet we take care to provide our kids nourishing meals. It's very difficult to manage all this due to high inflation and prices of essential commodities have skyrocketed. First we pay from our pockets and then the government reimburses taking its time," he said.
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