Greater Noida : Government Primary School in Salempur Gujjar is one of the government schools located in Dankaur Block, Gautam Budh Nagar, Greater Noida that has been adopted under Project STEADY (Support for Training, Education, and Development of Youth) implemented by Deepalaya NGO, and supported by the CSR wing of Asian Paints Limited. In the last 9 months, under the banner of the “Prevention of School Drop Out” programme in the school, the enrolment numbers have gone up from 126 to more than 200 students at the moment. After Deepalaya stepped in and designated three staff members for this project, a drastic change in the environment and sanitation inside and outside the classrooms has been noted; activity-oriented, innovative teaching methodologies have made learning experience joyful for the students.

On the occasion of Gandhi Jayanti, students of Government Primary School, Salempur Gujjar celebrated in the school premises today. Mr. Roy Cherian Raj, Project In Charge, Project STEADY told the students about the importance of the day, the life of Gandhiji, his contributions towards India’s freedom, and Gandhiji’s proverbial saying-“Bura Mat Dekho, Bura Mat Suno, Bura Mat Kaho.”

In lines with the “Swachhata Hi Sewa Campaign”, students were informed about Swachchta Abhiyan, and told to make their neighborhood cleaner and greener, and to inform parents about the importance of cleanliness. A group of 100 students accompanied by Deepalaya instructors also took out a Swachhata rally in the community, showcasing some interesting messages in the form of posters like “Gandhiji ka tha ye sandesh, swach rahe humara desh”, “Hum sab ne ye thana hai, gaon ko swachh banana hai,” etc.

Around 40 women from the nearby areas, who are also enrolled in the “adult learning programme” initiated by Deepalaya in the same school, also took part in the rally.  These women belong to the age group of 25-60, and belong to mixed literacy levels (starting from illiterate to 10^th or 12^th pass). In view of limited educational facilities in the area and discrimination and vilonce against women and girls in semi-urban Uttar Pradesh, Project STEADY has in the last 4 years engaged in activities like self-defense training, career counseling, yoga sessions, digital learning, promotion of Bal Sansads, etc.