Children are studying alphabets, poems and counting inside a temporary “pathshala” at the Ghazipur site of farmers’ protest in New Delhi, a step taken by agitators to prevent learning loss of those students, who came with their parents in support of the protest and now spending days at the place, reported ANI.

Around 12 noon, one can hear the voice of young children learning speeches and patriotic songs. The “pathshala”, which began on January 22, is seeing an increased number of students day by day as people working as labourers in the nearby places have also started sending their kids to the class. Until now, it has around 70-80 students.

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Sadhana, a seven-year-old girl is coming to the class for eight days and from a nearby village and she can now fluently count till 50 in English. 

“The class begins at 10 am but I come here as early as possible,” she said excitingly. “I have made a few friends here. I like it very much.”

Mahendra Yadav, who initiated the “pathshala” told ANI that, “We have been working to impart education for a long time. After we joined the protest we thought of continue doing what we used to do.”

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Nirdesh Singh from Mata Savitri Bai Phule Mahasabha who is running the class, added,  “We have opened a pathshala in a makeshift shelter. We thought of opening this school when we got to know from many that several children present at Ghazipur site were just spending their time loitering around here and there.”

Not only Ghazipur but education at Singhu protest site continues with various initiatives, including distribution of free books. However, this unique “pathshala” is the first of its kind that has arranged proper timing and lunch breaks for the students.

Farmers have been protesting at the border points in the national capital against the Centre’s three farm laws for over two months now.