Drumroll for Success: Teacher’s Unique Method Brings Students Back to School

While stories of negligence and absenteeism among government school teachers are not uncommon, a teacher in Seoni Malwa's village of Lahi has set a remarkable example with an innovative approach to boost school attendance. At the village's primary school, teacher Sanju Barange has taken it upon himself to ensure that students who are not attending classes are brought to school through an unconventional method: playing a drum outside their homes.

In the past, many children from the village were consistently absent from school. Recognizing this issue, Barange started playing a drum as he visited each child's home. When a child was missing, Barange would drum outside their house and then escort them to school. This unique strategy has led to a noticeable increase in student attendance and has earned praise from the local community and education officials.

District Primary Coordinator Dr. Rajesh Jaiswal has expressed his intention to honor Barange for his commendable efforts.

The drum-playing tactic has become so well-known that villagers now associate the sound of the drum with missing students. The method has not only improved attendance but also raised awareness about the importance of education. Barange's efforts have led to a significant increase in enrollment, from just six students to 25, with more expected soon.

"I started this initiative because when I took charge of the Lahi Primary School, the situation was dire. The school had only six students. I spoke to the villagers and requested them to send their children to school. Now, we have 25 students, and every day we go with the drum to bring in any absentees," Barange explained.

Thanks to his creative approach, the school now enjoys nearly full attendance. Barange's initiative has not only improved student participation but also heightened the community's commitment to education. If more teachers like Sanju Barange adopted similar methods, significant improvements could be seen across government schools.