Almora (Someshwar Valley): Nestled in the lap of the Himalayas, the tiny government primary school in Manan village is now the talk of the entire region. Five years ago, when Mrs. Sonu Pandey took over as head teacher, the school had just 17 students. Today, it’s buzzing with more than 70 children. Kids trek on foot from far-flung villages like Khakadi, Padoliya, Babri, and Kada to study here. Many parents who once planned to send their children to expensive private schools in Delhi or nearby cities now say with pride: “The education here is far better than Delhi!”

The magic behind this turnaround? Mrs. Sonu Pandey herself. When she arrived, most people might have given up seeing the school’s condition, but she refused to back down.

Step inside the school today, and the sight warms your heart. Outside, children’s shoes are lined up neatly in rows. Inside, classrooms are decked out with vibrant teaching-learning materials (TLM) – maps of India, crop distribution charts, national symbols, all so eye-catching that kids learn through play rather than rote memorization. One child spins a wheel to recognize numbers, while another proudly shows off poems and drawings in their handmade children’s magazine called “Phooldei”.

Mrs. Pandey explains: “We teach in English medium, but give equal importance to Hindi and our culture. We’ve started Nursery, LKG, and UKG classes too. Every month, we hold classes for parents – I teach moms and dads vowels, nouns, and pronouns first, so they can support their children at home.” This is why parents now have complete faith in the school.

Local resident Hitesh Kandpal shares, “My elder son studied in Delhi, but when I enrolled my younger one here, I realized the teaching is much better. Ma’am educated her own children here too – what greater trust can there be!” Another parent, Raju Nayal, smiles and says, “Our government school is a thousand times better than any private one.” Anju Arya, whose two children study here, adds, “The academics, activities, and even the way kids speak – everything is perfect. We won’t send them anywhere else now.”

On Children’s Day, the school turned into a festival of joy. Little ones like Kavya, Yogita, and Jyoti delivered poems and speeches on Chacha Nehru with such confidence that onlookers were left stunned. Before meals, the entire school chants together: “Thank you God for the food, thank you God for everything,” before enjoying a delicious mid-day meal. From cleanliness drives and yoga to sports, drawing, and poetry competitions – children participate enthusiastically in everything.

This isn’t just the story of one school. It’s the story of a dedicated teacher’s hard work, aware parents’ support, and innocent children who, even in a remote mountain village, are learning to dream big and achieve them. Manan’s little government school is proving that with heartfelt commitment from teachers, cooperation from parents, and a dash of love and effort, government schools can not only match private ones – they can surpass them in many ways.