Under the Shade of Trees, West Bengal Teacher Runs Open-Air School for Tribal Kids

In the remote Bagdabra forest area of Murshidabad, West Bengal, the COVID-19 lockdown pushed many tribal children, like class 8 student Biplab, out of school. With no access to online classes or resources, education became a distant dream for these first-generation learners.

Moved by their plight, Angshuman Thakur, a Bengali literature professor at Prof Syed Nurul Hasan College, stepped in. In 2021, he started Anirvana Gacher Iskul — an open-air school under the shade of neem and mango trees.

Inspired by Rabindranath Tagore’s philosophy of holistic education, the school combines academic lessons with creative activities like drawing, clay modelling, and music, while fostering a deep connection with nature. Angshuman’s innovative teaching methods link textbook lessons to the environment, making education engaging and practical.

Starting with just five children, the school now educates over 105 students from kindergarten to class 12. Operating on donations and Angshuman’s savings, the school charges only Rs 300 per child per month.

“Through this initiative and the children, we hope to improve the economy of the village. We are sowing the seeds of entrepreneurship in these children, which will reach the community and improve their livelihoods,” says Angshuman.

The school continues to function before regular school hours, ensuring students can pursue both opportunities. Angshuman dreams of building an eco-friendly campus with a library and computer lab to expand their learning.

Support their mission:

• UPI ID: 7001714095@axl
• Account Number: 41165791703
• Name: Gach Green Hands Social Welfare Trust
• IFSC Code: SBIN0018784

With Angshuman’s efforts, learning is thriving in the lap of nature, proving that education truly has no boundaries.

Edited by Arunava Banerjee