Haldwani 'inmate teachers' changing prisoners' lives through education

The Haldwani jail administration has been running an in-campus school, where inmate teachers teach their fellow inmates languages and mathematics. Around 20 inmates have already passed their high school and intermediate through this unique school.

Haldwani (Uttarakhand):In stark contrast to the dark picture that is painted with regard to prisons in the public perception, the Haldwani jail in Uttarakhand is trying to make a positive change in the inmates' lives through education.

The prison administration at Haldwani jail, which houses the highest number of inmates in the state's Kumaon region, periodically organises various programmes to push inmates towards developing good conduct.

In one such positive initiative, the jail administration established an in-campus school, where illiterate inmates could get on the path of reformation through education.

"We started a school within the jail itself, where illiterate guys, who cannot read or write, can develop those skills. Around 100 such illiterate inmates are currently learning at the school," Senior Jail Superintendent Manoj Arya informed.

"Besides the illiterate inmates, many who want to learn a new language are also availing the classes. We have in total arranged 10 teachers for the school," he added.

Currently, there are 10 inmate teachers in the jail, who are working relentlessly to educate their fellow inmates. Apart from Mathematics, the inmate teachers teach languages like Hindi, English, Urdu, Bangla and Punjabi.

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While the attendance of the student inmates is taken regularly, exams and tests are also conducted from time to time to test their progress.

Arya informed that so far about 20 inmates have appeared for examinations and have passed high school and intermediate.

The superintendent informed that the teacher in-charge Shankar Sharma, also acts as the school manager, while Pawan, Rajendra Patwari, Naved Khan and few others teach various subjects. Anand Nandi teaches Bangla while Jagtar Singh teaches Punjabi.

According to the teachers, the classes are conducted from 12 noon to 3 pm. Books for studies are provided by the jail administration.