PONDA: The children from Vaanarmare tribe or monkey hunters community hailing from Nirankal-Bethora have proven to be the reason behind government primary school (GPS) at Shignevhaal still running. Around 19 students from monkey hunters community and eight more from the village, study at the GPS.
The enthusiasm shown by the community’s children have prompted parents to demand to appoint one more teacher as currently there is only one teacher teaching the students. The children from monkey hunters community reside about 1.5 kms distance from the school and the school has seen gradual growth in the number of students.
This year there are 12 students studying in Class 1, six in Class 2, one in Class 3, while there are 2 students in Class 4. Some of the children are also studying in Gannath High School, Gavalwada-Bethora who are in Classes 5 and 9.
This picture provides hope picture not only for the community but also for the government primary school at Shignevhaal given the trend of shutting down GPSs due to lack of students.
Monkey hunters community, which is a nomadic tribe of the State has long stayed away from the education, but is now slowly becoming part of mainstream Goa. According to sources, an NGO took the initiative to teach the students the importance of hygiene for over a month. More importantly, the children do not have birth certificates and so, the NGO has filed affidavits in the school.
“The children are taking great interest in studies. They walk to the school everyday and due to education, one can witness changes in their behaviour. The ones studying in school are guiding others to maintain hygiene and cleanliness around the huts,” said the community’s head Gopal Pawar.
With 27 students studying in the school, the parents have demanded to appoint one more teacher for the school.
