In process of transforming tribals...contribution of a teacher

 

 

School teacher, sarpanch transform village

A major transformation has taken place in this tiny village, 25 km from here, thanks to the efforts made by a former sarpanch and a government school teacher.

Snake catchers

Pamulametta, which lies in Jegurupadu Panchayat, is home to 70 families of ‘Yanadi’, a nomadic tribe that migrated from Nellore district about 90 years ago. They used to eke out a living by catching snakes and selling the skin in the market. But, after the Wildlife Conservation Act came into force and made sale of snake skin a punishable offence, they started catching venomous snakes from residential areas and releasing them in the wild.

Helping farmers

At present, the Yanadis are assisting farmers and agriculture officials in catching rats and they go wherever their services are required.Seven years ago, the government started a school in the village, but no student was enrolled as teachers refused to report to school due to difficulties in reaching there. Things changed after Chilukuri Srinivasa Rao, who won the best teacher award twice at the State level, opted to work in the Pamulametta school even after getting a posting in his native place.

Along with the then sarpanch, Y. Devadeevena Kumari, he started reforming the children. He engaged a barber and arranged hair-cut for all the 30 children who grew long hair in line with their family tradition. He also arranged clothes, notebooks and bags from donors.The teacher then brought out the latent skills in some children by making them draw pictures on the walls of the school and made this exercise a part of their curriculum.Within two years, there was a great transformation with the school wearing a clean and green look. Wall paintings were utilised to spread the messages of the importance of education, use of dustbin and abstaining from drinking. For their pioneering work Devdeevena Kumari got Nirmal Puraskar and the teacher and the school won laurels from former President A. P. J. Abdul Kalam.

SHG started

With a vast majority of the men shunning liquor, the village is poised to become liquor-free. Not to be left behind, the women started a self-help group recently and also thrift activity. The school won the Best School Award recently in the district and in the days to come, might win another award from the Government of India.