Guwahati, June 17 : Located on the outskirts of Guwahati, Parijit academy in Pamohi village of Assam is a dream school for the poor.

The school has come up as a big ray of hope for the poverty-stricken parents who wanted their children to get education despite themselves being illiterate.

In 2003, Uttam Teron, a tribal, started this school initially with 50 students to educate the underprivileged children here and enable them get basic education in life. Since its inception, the school has been successful in raising awareness among the people of the area not only about education but healthcare as well.

Presently, the school has 400 students and 17 members as staff.

"We thought such an education center would help the children and if we try to focus on their various discipline it will benefit them to move forward. They can go for further studies and be able to write, they will be able to give their signature instead of thumb impression while opening bank accounts. By birth, education is the right of the children," said Uttam Teron, Principal of the Parijit Academy School.

The school offers education till ninth grade and will be further extended to standard 10 in the coming year.

Besides free education, the school also offers hostel facilities to the children, computer education and teaches weaving and tailoring to the girls.

"Most students here have come from a poor family, many families here do not have power supply. Being poor the mothers are not able to help the children in their studies. Whatever help required is given to the children here in the school," said Trishna Medhi, a teacher.

"We have benefited from this school. The school provides education up to standard nine. We were scared that we would have to shift our kids, now there will be no problem. For, provision for standard 10 is also going to start here. There is no monthly fees, we have to pay only Rs. 2 while admitting our children," said Madhumita, a guardian.

The school depends entirely on donations and some foreign and domestic students also pitch in and provide voluntary service.

Parijit Academy has been successful in creating awareness about education especially among the tribal people to a great extent. (ANI)