Thematic: The success story of SHG English Medium School, Meidum comes under Community Development thematic area.
Brief Overview: Meidum Village is located in Kolasib district of Mizoram. It is a very small village with 230 household and with a very low literacy rate. The main occupation of the villagers is jhum cultivation. As there is only one school (Mizo medium) in the village, many children are unable to get admission due to constraint in seats, also the villagers wanted their children to study in English medium. The nearest English medium school is situated in the nearby Village of Bairabi which is 10 kms away. As there are no proper public transport, student attending school in the nearby villages are finding it very difficult to attend the school. Thus, Meidum Village Organizations came up with an idea of starting their own English Medium school in their Village with the help of Village Councils and Mizoram SRLM.
Detailed Information: Understanding the plight of parents struggling to find English Medium Schools and the number of school dropout increasing every year, the Villager Organizations on May 22, 2019 called for General Body meeting where all SHG members came together in the presence of Mizoram SRLM staff and came to a conclusion to start their own English medium school. They came up with an action plan and approached their Village Council regarding the same. The Village Councils then called for all NGO meeting to discuss the matter. All other NGO pledge their support to the Village Organizations.
After numerous meeting with officials and planning, on the 10th of March, 2020, SHG ENGLISH MEDIUM SCHOOL started functioning and started taking admission. School Managing Board was constituted with the Village Council President as Chairman and other members from other NGO of the village. The school motto is “Learn today for better tomorrow”.
After recruitment of teachers was completed, the VO utilized their CIF to buy school uniform and books in bulk. The school officially started on the 1st of April, 2020 with 115 students in par with the new academic session. However, as the school doesn’t have a school building, the school started functioning in the community hall. The school have student from Kindergarden till class 4.
The difficulties faced by the Village Organization was the school building. However, they have constructed a school building at the plot allotted by the Village Councils and utilizing donations received from all corners. 2021 academic session was supposed to be started in the newly constructed school but due to Covid-19, it is yet to be formally inaugurated and utilized.
Achievements: Starting an English Medium school in the village has given hope to many families who gave up on their children education. Also, the students are safer than ever, having more time and a good atmosphere for education.