Dayawanti Punj Model School Sitamarhi

Where the mind is without fear and the head held high; Where knowledge is free;

Where the world has not been broken up into fragments by narrow domestic walls; Where words come out from the depth of truth;

Where tireless striving stretches its arms towards perfection; Where the clear stream of reason has not lost its way into the dreary desert sand of dead habit;

Where the mind is led forward by Thee into ever-widening thought and action; Into that heaven of freedom, my Father, let my country awake.”

Rabindranath Tagore

“It has been an enriching experience for me to nurture a tiny bud of a nursery school into a blossoming flower, which is what our secondary school has grown into. From a backward village, with little or no educational facilities, Sitamarhi has become proud of its only English medium school in the Bhadohi district, which offers children an opportunity to dream and fulfill their dreams. The year 2008 was a milestone one for the school when the first batch of students appeared for their CBSE board examination in class 10 and 85% passed with first division and 15% with second division. There was not a single third division or failure! This in spite of the fact that most children return from school to homes reeling under power cuts. To overcome this problem, the school offered the children boarding facilities with dedicated tutoring, so that they could prepare for their board examinations. I am equally proud of the ripple effect of education among our students. Almost all our school children impart what they have learnt to their siblings and even parents when they reach home from school. This has created a longing among the younger siblings to join school, and appreciation by parents for what their children have been taught.”

SNP PunjFounder, Dayawanti Punj Model School

“It was during his many visits to the backward area of Bhadohi, in Uttar Pradesh that Founder, Satya Narain Prakash Punj, came face to face with the harsh reality of illiteracy, prejudice against girl children and poverty. True to form, Satti Punj decided to stem the rot at its source. He started an English medium school for girls at Sitamarhi which gave freeships and scholarships as an incentive to parents to educate their daughters, to break the mindset that boys are an investment for the future and girls should marry at an early age and leave their parental home.”

Dr Rajkumari, Principal Dayawanti Punj Model School

L everaging on Punj Lloyd’s core capability in the infrastructure space, this village school was

built with amenities worthy of the best boarding schools in the country, internet, swimming pool, gymnasium, airconditioned auditorium and field trips to Delhi and other parts of India. In response to the increasing interest of the parents to get their sons’ schooling as well, the school evolved into a co-educational English medium school. Dayawanti Punj Model School can claim to have achieved what many prestigious schools around the rest of the country could not.

Sitamarhi, a pilgrimage destinationSitamarhi is located between Prayagraj (Allahabad) and Kashi (Varanasi). It is the birth place of Luv and Kush,

the twin sons of Lord Rama. On the banks of river Ganga, stands Rishi Valmiki’s Ashram where the great Rishi wrote the famous epic, ‘Ramayana’. 60 km from Allahabad and 80 km from Varanasi, Sitamarhi falls in the Poorvanchal region, a part of eastern Uttar Pradesh.

The area in and around Sitamarhi is very remote and backward. 70% of its population lives a life below the poverty line. Economic constraints coupled with poor hygiene, illiteracy, deep rooted superstitions, religious beliefs and lack of social awareness are the most significant impediments to health care, elementary education and socio-economic growth. The literacy rate is extremely low. Gender bias is deep rooted and girls do not get the privilege of getting elementary education. Poor and insufficient means of livelihood add fuel to their misfortunes.

The Objective of the SchoolTo establish a local school that would provide quality education and improve the lives of people of the community. Model School was founded in memory of S N P Punj’s mother, Dayawanti Punj. The school is today a centre of learning, fighting the evils of illiteracy and inculcating good values in the children.

The students, who largely belong to families supported by farming and petty trading, are equipped with the intellectual and practical skills necessary to build a career and meet the challenges of professional life.

The enthusiasm amongst the students across age groups is overwhelming. Supported by their learning, the students aim to become pilots, doctors and engineers, leaving their under-privileged past behind them.

About the SchoolDayawanti Punj Model School is affiliated to the All India Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE), which is the largest educational board in the country and is an autonomous body under the Ministry of Human Resources Development, Govt. of India.

It is a co-educational day-cum-boarding school, 1100+ students on its rolls, studying from Nursery to Class X. It is expected to grow to |the senior secondary level, under the 10+2 scheme soon. Within a period of five years the school has grown from 100 students to an astounding 1100. Scholarships and sponsorships are provided to encourage education among children, specially the girl child. Presently, 150 students, mostly girls, benefit from this facility. The school

has a total strength of 52 teachers who are qualified in different streams. The National Council for Teachers Education (NCTE) a statutory body of the Govt. of India has granted recognition to a Nursery Teachers’ Training Course and Bachelor of Education Course at the school.

Education encompassing theoretical to practical learning is imparted to each student through

• Latest teaching aids• Computers and technology with K-Yan equipment• Project work• Exhibitions• Practical labs• Activity rooms• Recreation facilities such as TV room, swimming pool• Library• Cultural programmes• Sports & arts• Mid-day meal facilities

• Dedicated bus service • Boarding facilities In other words, the school offers a

comprehensive and holistic education.Apart from all the amenities provided,

the school has one of India’s best multi-purpose halls. The air conditioned auditorium cum indoor sports court can accommodate up to 4000 students and is fitted with theatre lights and sound

system. The stage has a wooden spring floor specially designed for dancers to prevent fatigue. Recently, acoustic curtains of German design were installed, dividing the hall into three so that a dance recital can take place in one section, while a sports event with loud cheering spectators can be held in the other section of the hall.

A Holistic ApproachTo encourage overall development, the school equally focuses on sports and extra curricular activities. The school organises sports day and annual day in which all

the students are encouraged to participate and present their talent. Yoga has been introduced. Every year, thirty students, 50% of them girls, are chosen from classes 1 to 10 to travel to New Delhi by train. For the first time in their lives, children get a first hand experience of the Republic Day Parade. Field trips are organised to the Shankar Doll Museum, Rail and National Museum, Zoological Gardens and even a visit to the International Airport, with special permission for entrance into a commercial aircraft. The kind of exposure these students enjoy has a dramatic effect on the others, as they share the experiences of the exciting time they had in Delhi, along with their classmates. Students of Dayawanti Punj Model School have won accolades at various national Drawing and General Knowledge competitions held in

various cities every year. The school is also looking at establishing a ‘Sports Academy’ to train the children.

Tutorials and Remedial TeachingPoverty and literacy hinder the growth and learning of children at home. To overcome this impediment, the school arranges tutorials and remedial teaching to students who are slow learners. Individual attention is given to make the child think independently.

Teaching Faculty

The teachers of Dayawanti Punj Model School play a critical role in encouraging learning among students. Well qualified teachers from various parts of India, reside at the campus along with their families to brighten the future of these kids. Well furnished accommodation

is provided to them. Well settled in a school with city like facilities, they do not miss the buzz of metropolitan life. The residential facilities for the staff and their families are equipped with a mess, internet, swimming pool and a gymnasium.

There are teachers who have been instrumental in the growth of the school since its inception. They undertake regular door to door campaigns in and around the Sitamarhi district to spread awareness of the importance of education.

The school has a training centre where the teachers regularly undergo training, with the latest in teaching methodology and child psychology, enabling them to enhance their professional skills. The teachers are encouraged to experiment and employ innovative techniques and systems. Workshops, seminars, refresher programmes and discussions are held to enhance their professional skills, attitude and teaching competencies.

Mid-day MealFor children with poor health owing to malnutrition, the school’s management provides free mid-day meals, rich in nutrients to students from nursery, K.G., classes 1,2 and 3. The school aims to provide this facility to more students.

Systematic medical check-ups are undertaken to gauge the physical health of the students who are taught the importance of maintaining good health.

HostelTo meet the constant pressure for lodging and boarding of the students, two hostel blocks are being built. They will be important assets to children living away from home and learning in an enabling environment.

Pt. Kanahya Lal Punj Bal BhawanLike the National Bal Bhawan in New Delhi, Government of India has sanctioned a Bal Bhawan named Pt. Kanahya Lal Punj Bal Bhawan at Sitamarhi.

The Bhawan will provide children between the age of 5-16 years a platform to engage in activities like art, music, dance, drama, painting, photography, electronic repairs, doll making and designing. Children can choose their activities, which, besides making them self-reliant, present an opportunity to express themselves.

More than 100 boys and 25 village girls from the vicinity learn computers, while 52 girls are being trained in cutting, tailoring and beautician courses. Another novel activity is at the ‘Learn Driving Centre’, where a range of vehicles from a cycle, moped, motorcycle

to a car are provided. Women are encouraged to join the Centre.

Our students have won first position in creative art at a regional competition conducted by National Bal Bhawan, New Delhi and were awarded a scholarship of Rs. 5000.

A Landmark InitiativeTo promote the social and economic development of people in the area, a Village Development Programme was launched. The programme aims at developing three villages within a 5 km radius of Sitamarhi, by adopting one village every year and converting it into a model village.

The Village Development

Programme centres on a five point agenda to successfully implement and achieve the following goals:

Education for allAnganwari (Child Care Centre)Every child between 2 ½ - 4 years is enrolled with the Anganwari. Nutrition, vaccination, pre-school education and proper hygiene are the key focus areas.

Schooling (Elementary Education) Every child between the age of 4 - 14 will be enrolled in school and will study upto the upper primary level.

There will be no drop outs.

Literacy Drive (Adult Education) Every member of the village community between the age of 14 - 60 years will be literate, targeting 100% literacy.

Health, Hygiene, Sanitation• Provision for a charitable hospital.• Mobile Dispensary to serve people at their doorstep.• Yearly Health Check up of every member of the village community.• Yearly Eye Camps - vision for all, cataract operations with inter ocular lens implants.• Family Welfare & Population.• Provision of Toilets & Pure Drinking Water• Providing Calipers and Prosthesis to handicapped and polio affected children, women and men. • Monthly distribution of dry ration, seasonal distribution of blankets and personal clothing.

Women Work Centre Training in Cutting, Tailoring, Sewing and Embroidery.

Tree PlantationTrees will be planted to exceed the number of adult members of the community.

Social Awareness & AwakeningTo educate the community to fight against social evils, early marriage, dowry and gender bias, educational, health care and social upliftment projects have been introduced. Presently efforts are targeted at eradication of illiteracy and poverty.

School CultureWith the guidance provided by a dedicated faculty, the students are encouraged to exploit their potential to the fullest. When the first batch of students appearing for the CBSE exams could not study at home due to long hours of power failure, the school made impromptu arrangements for their boarding and lodging within the premises

during the crucial weeks preparatory to their exams, making their stay comfortable and homely, with warm milk and nuts during the cold winter nights.

A Tribute to the AlmightyAs a part of community building, Punj Lloyd Group has also built a beautiful temple. Satya Narain Prakash Punj conceptualised and constructed the Sita Samahit Temple at Sitamarhi (UP). It is the only temple dedicated to Goddess Sita, since it is here that Lord Rama’s wife descended into the earth. The temple is visited by many pilgrims throughout the year, with a guest house offering serene comfort.

Dayawanti Punj Model School Sitamarhi

Village & Post - Sitamarhi District - Sant Ravidas Nagar (Bhadohi) 221 309, Uttar Pradesh Tel +91 5414 236 362, 236 662