Rural students in India’s Chattisgarh risk their lives everyday by crossing rain-swollen river in narrow boats to attend school.
The children in this video live in a village called Sitakasa where there are no schools. So, children of this village travel for miles to attend schools in a faraway village. On their way, everyday they have to cross a river that has no bridge on it. This becomes dangerous in the monsoon because the water level rises very high, threatening to capsize the boat. Also, the boatmen close their ferry service early afternoon. So, not only these children risk getting drowned, but also miss classes to take the boat back home in time. Above all, when it rains heavily, the ferry stays closed, thus forcing the students to miss school altogether.
Now, the Government of Chattisgarh claims that 76% of the state’s rural population has access to education. But according to Bhan Sahu, the access is far from being easy. Besides, if the students are frequently missing classes either due to rain or logistical problems, it is bound to affect their learning as well.
Now, the Government of Chattisgarh claims that 76% of the state’s rural population has access to education. But according to Bhan Sahu, the access is far from being easy. Besides, if the students are frequently missing classes either due to rain or logistical problems, it is bound to affect their learning as well.
