Unbelievable but true. There exists a place in 21^st century India where no child has ever passed 10^th standard. The place is Vijaynagar circle of Miao sub-division in Changlang district of Arunachal Pradesh. That was till a 2018-batch IAS officer of AGMUT cadre, Mr. Sunny K. Singh took over as the District Collector of Changlang who ensured five children clear the 10^th exam this year although not directly in board exams but through compartment exams.

THE PROBLEM

Out of all 745 districts of India, Changlang features among the 10 worst performing districts. The reason behind poor academic performance is absence of an approach road to Vijaynagar circle. That’s why no teacher ever attended schools. There was no network, no electricity and many more issues. But no action was ever taken on the locals’ complaints.

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Mr. Sunny K. Singh on being appointed Assistant District Collector (ADC) in Miao sub-division realized the issues and surmised on possible solutions. He got children airlifted for residential classes for three months in Miao. That year 14 children took the exam. No one could clear the board exams directly. But five of them passed in the compartments later.

This was the first time that someone from Vijaynagar circle had passed high school. That’s why after becoming DC of Changlang, Mr. Singh launched his initiative on a big scale, implementing Project SAFAL in the entire district.

THE SOLUTION

Project SAFAL is basically a program spread over 50 days. Free evening classes are given by volunteers. Solved sample papers for past 15 years & practice sets are provided. There will be residential classes for Vijaynagar circle students. Teachers too have been appointed. And most importantly, the 157-kilometers long approach road from Miau to Vijaynagar called MV Road, has been built to facilitate their travel to the schools.

Speaking with Indian Masterminds, Mr. Singh said, “We have implemented this project in all our four sub-divisions. Along with this, residential set-up has been provided for the children of Vijaynagar. Besides a NALC (New Age Learning Center) library has also been opened for these children. We have also enrolled some NGOs in this initiative. The aim is to facilitated uninterrupted education leading to jobs.”

THE REWARDS

This is Maoist insurgency area. Children who do not study or fail, join insurgent cadres. That’s why Mr Singh provided for rewards for studious children. Those getting over 70 percent marks will be taken on tour to National Parks and other tourist places. There are rewards for every child who clears his exams. He has announced incentives for teachers as well.

Mr. Singh has set two targets for him as well – to ensure a 100 per cent result and a zero per cent drop. He has already achieved a target – construction of MV Road.

Mr Singh told Indian Masterminds,, “The road passes through a difficult terrain. Insurgency was another reasons. But things have been changedafter construction of the road. Now all facilities are available in Vijaynagar circle itself.”