By Firstdespatch Desk Jul 18, 2023
Agartala, July 18 (FD) In a remarkable effort to address the educational challenges faced by underprivileged students residing on the islands of Dumbur Lake in Gumati district.
The Tripura School Education Department has introduced a free-of-cost 'school boat' service. These students often struggle to reach school due to a lack of means to afford the boat fare, especially during the monsoon season when water bodies pose significant challenges.
The initiative was inaugurated by Chandni Chandran, the State Project Director (SPD) of Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan, who expressed her gratitude for the opportunity to support underprivileged students through this innovative project.
Damodhar Tripura, the Block Project Coordinator (BPC) of Karbook RD Block, came up with the idea after imagining a way to solve the communication problem encountered by kids living on the islands.
Dumbur Lake, a captivating natural landscape encompassing 48 islands, is located 120 kilometres away from the state capital. The islands' inhabitants rely predominantly on fishing as their primary source of income.
However, due to the absence of proper transportation infrastructure, the students face difficulties in attending school, especially during the monsoon season when water bodies become impassable.
To address this issue, the Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan allocated a sum of Rs 1.20 lakh to fund the 'school boat' project. The introduction of this service aims to ensure that no student is deprived of education due to financial constraints. Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha praised the initiative and commended Damodhar Tripura for transforming the idea into a reality.
Tripura Chief Minister Dr. Manik Saha applauded the introduction of the 'school boat' service, emphasising its ability to bridge the communication gap for students residing on the picturesque islands of Dumbur Lake.
In a Facebook post, he commended the indomitable spirit of Damodhar Tripura, the BPC of Karbook RD Block, for transforming this extraordinary idea into reality.
Saha reiterated the government's commitment to providing equal opportunities for every child and ensuring that no student is left behind in their pursuit of education. FD SB