Bhadrak: The Trishulpur Government High School on the outskirts of this district has characteristics which will make other educational institutions envious.
Located on National Highway 16, the school is maintained in a very prim and proper manner. Its green cover complemented by colourful flowers gives it the look of a park.
There are 200 students and 11 teachers in the school. The efforts to develop greenery helped the school win the ‘Prakurti Bandhu’ award in 2015. The school also won the state level ‘Best CCH (cook-cum-helper)’ award in 2016 and in 2017 it got the ‘Cleanest School’ award.
Locals informed that the school has blossomed due to the passionate efforts of headmistress Jhuranbala Khuntia.
The headmistress is very keen to share the journey of the institution. Initially the school used to run from a thatched house without doors and windows with students cramped together. However, because of her efforts and the generous donations offered by people of the locality, a proper building was built. The number of students and teachers also increased and the school topped the ‘List of Best Schools’ made by the district education department.
Locals said that initially the school did not have a boundary wall. Social activist Madan Mohan Parida of Asura village and some villagers came forward and got it constructed. Thereafter some trees were planted.
Khuntia informed that vegetables are grown in the one acre open space of the school premises. These are used as part of the mid-day meal for students. She also stated that teachers, managing committee members and students put in their best efforts to maintain the plants. Some even stay back after work hours to water plants and clean the garden.
Khuntia said that the teachers also encourage students to show off their extracurricular skills. Plays are staged and sports competitions conducted on a regular basis. The school also brings out an annual magazine in which the students write poems and stories to show their creative skills.
Khuntia herself has won many individual awards like the ‘Rashtra Nirman Award’, ‘Sabujashree Award’, ‘Utkalkeshari Award’ and the ‘Ideal Teacher Award’. Ministers and other top dignitaries have visited the school on a number of occasions. Khuntia, however, is quick to point out that it is because of the teachers and students, she has won accolades.
Teachers and the local residents here wish to see the institution get appreciation from all walks of life.
PNN