Surat, Gujarat

It’s like a dream coming true for the tribal students of Kadod High School in south Gujarat, who had been finding it difficult to learn English at this Gujarati medium school. Four teachers from the US have come down to the village in Bardoli taluka especially to teach them the language and develop their personality.

An US-based trust run by former students of this school appointed the teachers after learning about the problems faced by the tribal students. Over 500 students from Kadod and nearby villages are settled in the US. Two years ago, they formed Nanubhai Naik Foundation Trust, after the name of a former principal of the school.

Later, with the objective of doing something for the betterment of the school, trust president Raju Shah came to Kadod from Philadelphia, US with some former students and trust members, and met acting principal Vikramsinh Mahida. They were told that the students were facing problems in English. On their return to America, the trust decided to send a few US teachers to Kadod. It was also decided that the entire cost for this would be borne by the trustees.

Two American teachers — Cathrine Biddle (25) and Melissa Irvins (24) — having M. Ed degree, and two NRI teachers — Venisha Gandhi (22) and Priya Garg — having B. Ed degree, were appointed for the job. All four arrived here 10 days ago and have started teaching the students after school hours.

Briddle, from Philadelphia, has done M. Ed in English from Lessley University of Maryland, US. She said: “Initially, we faced difficulties in interacting with the students. Later, the school authorities provided a local teacher who helps us in solving their problems… Now, the students have also started interacting with us. Slowly, they are learning a lot.”

Briddle said she is doing this work as it “satisfies my soul and I feel that I have done something in my life”. “It had been my eternal wish to spend my life with such students,” she added.

Ivins, who has done M. Ed from Stanford University, California, said: “My parents were against my decision to come to India. But it was my wish, so they agreed later… We teach Class IX and XI students after regular periods are over. Earlier, a local teacher use to remain present in our class to facilitate interaction, but now students directly ask questions without any hesitation.” After school hours, Ivins said, they take a walk around the village and agricultural fields, and interact with the locals.

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