FROM A SILENT SCHOOL TO A LIVING CLASSROOM
There was a time when the zilla parishad school in Shilte village of Palghar district, about 20 km from the town, was barely recognisable as a place of learning. The school playground was overgrown with weeds, and stray animals freely entered the school premises. Each morning, the teachers first had to clean the space before beginning their classes. But today, the same school stands as one of the most beautiful and well-managed schools in the region – a living example of what community spirit and value-based education can achieve.
The transformation began when the headmistress and teacher, Swajal Mhatre, believed that change was possible not only through funds, but through collective effort and shared responsibility. With the support of students, parents, villagers, the gram panchayat, volunteers, and local organizations, every corner of the school was enhanced and beautified through shramdaan (voluntary labour) and public participation.
From classrooms, gates and pathways to water facilities, toilets, a playground, digital tools – even the garden and swings for the youngest children – everything came from teamwork and goodwill.
Mulyavardhan further strengthened this spirit by nurturing values like cooperation, equality, responsibility, and empathy among students and teachers. Children began taking initiatives in cleanliness, caring for their classmates, managing a small savings box to avoid junk food, and even reminding teachers to conserve water. Parents too felt a positive change, noticing their children becoming more responsible at home.
The walls of the school began to speak through vibrant artwork and handmade models that reflect the dignity of labour. Each creation carried the message: “We build our school with our own hands… and with our hearts.”
The school did not merely become clean and beautiful – it started to live values, creativity, respect and hope.