Jalandhar: Enrolment in schools increased due to sports culture

Punjab: Unlike other government schools that find it difficult to attract students, the Government High School in Mundi Kasu, an obscure village in Lohian, has emerged as a favourite among residents of the area. Courtesy: School in-charge Heena Kumari has brought in a sports culture in the institution. Thanks to the dedication of physical education teacher Heena Kumari, who herself has a PhD in sports, parents are now eager to send their children to the school. Over 15 new students have joined the school this session. Heena Kumari told The Tribune that her main aim is to bring in a sports culture in the school and the village. “I visited various houses in the area and told parents that apart from studies, I want my students to excel in sports as well. This excited the parents as they knew their children would learn something new and move ahead in life,” she said. With the help of NRIs, she also distributes sports kits among the school students. “I have sports equipment at my home too and whenever tournaments are going on, students are always welcome to practice,” she said. The students of the school had performed well in the sports competitions held last year.

Mundi Kasu, which falls in Lohiyan block of Shahkot subdivision of the district, had earlier also been in the news as the “village most affected by floods”. Last time, children belonging to poor backgrounds of the village had brought the village in the limelight for a good reason. The high school students and budding players had performed brilliantly in the under-14 and under-17 categories in the zonal kho-kho tournament held in Shahkot. The students had practised kho-kho on the road and vacant space nearby outside the school, which was not an ideal place to practise the sport. The flood that affected the school in 2023 had led to wild grass growing, water logging at places, stones and mud scattered everywhere and to top it all, the ground was also not level, making it difficult for the players to practise. The teacher said that it was difficult for the students to practise in the absence of a proper playground. She said, “However, we managed to perform well. I always ensured the safety of the students and never let them play without shoes.” Heena Kumari also knows that it is difficult for parents to provide proper diet to their children. She said, “They need proper diet. So, I give them fruits and other food items so that their energy does not decrease.” The teacher said, “My students have even reached the state level. Now, I also want a proper Kho-Kho ground and volleyball ground in the school.”