How to make students come to school! Odisha school teacher boosts attendance in tribal area

In the tribal-dominated Keshipur Panchayat under Nilgiri block of Balasore district in Odisha, a quiet revolution in education is underway, led by a single dedicated teacher.

Gabapal Upper Primary School, once marked by poor attendance and low interest in studies, has witnessed a remarkable turnaround over the past decade. Until a few years ago, barely 50 percent of students attended classes regularly. Today, attendance has surged to an impressive 90-95 percent, with almost every child in the panchayat actively pursuing education.

The transformation began in 2015 when Sanjay Kumar Nayak, popularly known as Sanjay sir, joined the school as an assistant teacher. At the time, many children from the tribal village stayed back at home while their parents went out to work. For most families struggling to secure daily meals, education was not a priority. As a result, children showed little interest in attending school.

Recognising the ground realities, Sanjay sir took it upon himself to change the situation. He started visiting homes in the village, interacting with parents and counselling them about the importance of education. He explained how schooling could open doors to better opportunities and a brighter future for their children.

His consistent outreach efforts gradually began to yield results. Parents became more aware, and children started attending school regularly. Over the years, the school has seen a steady rise in enrolment and attendance.

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"It gives me immense pain to hear that government school teachers are not teaching properly. However, I work in a positive spirit as my father always advises to worship duty. Work is God. If children don't study, the future of the country will be dark," said Sanjay Kumar Nayak, teacher in Gabapal Upper Primary School.

"Sir (Sanjay sir) teaches us very well and we love his teaching. He teaches us history, political science and geography. He also teaches us on holidays," said Kalyani Nayak, a student.

"Earlier, I was not coming to school. Sanjay Sir went to our home and convinced me to come to school," said Sumant Patra, another student.

Sanjay sir’s commitment extends beyond classroom teaching. Even after school hours, he conducts informal learning sessions under a tree in the village square, focusing on general knowledge, moral values, and life skills. If any student remains absent, he personally visits their home to ensure they return to school.

His dedication has not only improved attendance but also instilled a new enthusiasm for learning among students. What was once considered a burden is now embraced with interest and curiosity. Today, Gabapal Upper Primary School stands as an example of how individual initiative and community engagement can bring meaningful change in rural education.

"The number of students increased after Sanjay sir joined our school. He teaches very well, He even teaches the students beyond the school period," said Bhaskar Chandra Nayak, a colleague of Sanjay Sir.

"Sanjay sir teaches very well. The number of students has increased after Sanjay sir joined the school," said Damayanti Khandei, a guardian.