1. School Ka Safar (Suffer!!)
1. Feel - What is the problem you were attempting to change?
Last year, we addressed the issue which is greatly ignored by the society ie. lack
of civic sense. So this year we thought of bringing a change in our own life ie.
students’ life by making our ‘School ka Safar’ more comfortable. Overflowing autos
and vans is an everyday sight which gives us all worry. The fact which disturbed us
was the helplessness shown by the parents and students. The over crowded
vans/auto rickshaws are not only providing unhygienic atmosphere but also physical
and mental agony to most of the children. Most importantly these rides are very
unsafe.
2. Imagine – The ideas generated.
The students decided to try and find a solution to this problem on their own, but how?
We decided the following steps –
1. We planned to meet the students of different classes and schools and ask them
about their journey from home to school. What problems do they actually face?
2. We the students of Class VII will try to find some practical solutions.
3. We identified the core group members who will represent us.
3. Do – What was the final solution and how did it change the situation and yourself?
We practically did all that we thought we could do. We believed in ourselves and the
simple fact that – “Where there is a will, there is a way”. We interacted with the auto
drivers, parents and students and tried to convince them.
Final solution –
We worked in 2 groups –
1. One group worked with the students staying near the school ie. within a radius of
one to two km. We spoke to the students of Classes V-VII and also to the parents and
provided a buddy of Class VII to accompany them.
2. The second group worked with the students staying beyond two km. of the school.
We made a list of students residing in the nearby societies and arranged private auto
rickshaws for them with their parents’ approval which 3-4 students share. In effect the
amount they shell out every month is equivalent to going in a van. At the same time
the ride to school is safe and more enjoyable.
Number of people impacted
• Number of students in the core team -5
• Number of students participated (Class VII) – 79
• No. of students impacted of Class V,VI,VII – 220
• Teachers of Tejas Vidyalaya -5
• Parents of students of Classes V-VII
We intend to take this experience further to our three sister concern schools and
other schools of Vadodara to make each child’s “School ka Safar” safer and joyful.