A Happy School project in Gorakhpur

Lack of basic facilities led to a gradual decline in the number of students from 600 in the 1960s to just below 150 at the Upper ­Primary School in Jungle Kauria district of Gorakhpur, UP. This made RC ­Gorakhpur, D 3120, to adopt it for its Happy Schools project.

Children used to sit on the floor in their classrooms which had neither lights nor fans. As it did not have a toilet, parents shifted their wards to other schools. “But the teachers were confident that if proper facilities were provided the school can regain its past status with children returning,” said Mahabir Prasad Kandoi, the Club Secretary.

Soon, when the Rotarians equipped the classrooms with desks and benches and fitted ceiling fans, student strength climbed to 190. Now in the second stage of the project, ­gender-segregated toilets and a handwash station, with sufficient water supply are being ­provided in the school. “The ­remaining ­provision under the Happy School ­project will be completed very soon,” said Kandoi.