Teacher turns classroom into village government
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M Thangaraj, a teacher in Puliyampatti, Tenkasi, India, transformed his primary school into a learning environment where students actively participate in school and community life.
For over twenty years, Thangaraj has encouraged students to take on roles like student-ministers for education, health, agriculture, and food, giving them practical experience in responsibility and teamwork. He also uses digital tools and activities beyond traditional subjects like yoga and robotics to engage students.
Thangaraj extended his efforts beyond the classroom by involving parents, alumni, and local organizations to improve school resources. They raised funds to provide a smart digital classroom, uniforms, and renovations worth a total of Rs 4 lakh. Students also participated in environmental initiatives, creating 1,330 seed balls and planting saplings around the village. Thangaraj shared his methods with over 50 other teachers and helped establish libraries in nine schools with funding from Samagra Shiksha.
He also advocated for improved toilet facilities for girls, successfully prompting the district collector to allocate Rs 5 lakh for their construction. Many of his former students have gone on to higher education and careers, becoming the first in their families to do so.
