- Interest in learning has grown among children due to modern amenities and activity-based education
- The school’s profile has been transformed through engaging ‘print-rich’ classrooms, a herbal garden, clean drinking water, and sports & cultural activities
Under the ‘Seva Sankalp Abhiyan’ (Service Pledge Campaign), the Government Primary School in Chanat—located in a remote forest region—has undergone a remarkable transformation through the PM-SHRI scheme. Modern educational facilities, an engaging environment, and an activity-based teaching system have heightened the children’s interest in their studies. Parents from neighboring villages are also keen to enroll their children here, motivated by the positive changes witnessed at the school.
The School Education Department, aligned with the state government’s vision, aims to ensure that children in remote rural and forest areas receive quality education and a superior learning environment, just as their urban counterparts do. PM-SHRI schools are bringing this vision to reality on the ground. To ensure schools become centers for the holistic development of children rather than mere places for academic study, special emphasis is being placed on infrastructure alongside sports, yoga, music, creative activities, and hygiene.
The Government Primary School in Chanat village, located in the Basna block of Mahasamund district, was upgraded to a PM-SHRI school in 2023. Subsequently, there has been continuous expansion of essential infrastructure and educational facilities. An additional classroom has been constructed to run a ‘Balwadi’ (preschool). A separate room has also been created for ‘Bagless Day’ activities, hosting group tasks, music, yoga, and various creative pursuits. The school now features well-equipped classrooms, an engaging ‘print-rich’ environment, clean drinking water, improved sanitation, a beautiful garden, and facilities for sports and cultural activities. A main entrance gate, toilets, and a rainwater harvesting structure have also been constructed. The installation of paver blocks in the school courtyard has made the premises mud-free and organized. A well-laid-out garden featuring six flowerbeds has been developed to make the school campus lush green and attractive. Additionally, an herbal garden has been established with various useful plants such as Amla, Tulsi, curry leaves, bay leaves, Aloe Vera, clove, and long pepper (Pippali), providing children with practical knowledge about these plants and their uses. A child-friendly, print-rich environment has been created in all classrooms; information regarding the days of the week, the Hindi alphabet, months of the year, geometric shapes, electronic appliances, the solar system, and national symbols—such as the peacock, lotus, Tricolour, Ashoka Pillar, and banyan tree—is displayed engagingly on the walls and through teaching aids. This offers children the opportunity to learn in the classroom through a comfortable, activity-based approach. A handwashing station has also been set up at the school. Children are adopting the habit of washing their hands regularly after using the restroom and before meals, thereby increasing their awareness of personal hygiene. Through PM SHRI schools, the focus is on connecting children with modern, enjoyable, and quality education while fostering the development of their personalities and creative potential. The transformation at the Government Primary School in Chanat exemplifies how, with improved infrastructure and a positive educational atmosphere, even schools in remote areas can become centers of attraction for children and parents alike.
