The story of Adarsh Madhya Vidyalaya Madhuban in the Bajpatti block of Sitamarhi district reads like an inspiring transformation. There was a time when the school premises would turn into a regular gathering spot for local drinkers and card players as evening approached. Dominated by anti-social elements, the campus offered little hope for academics. However, the unwavering determination of a single educator completely altered this grim reality, turning the neglected ground into a vibrant seat of learning driven by the tireless efforts of teacher Dwijendra Kumar, also known as Dwijendra Suman.
Tackling Infrastructure Decay and Campus Security First
When Dwijendra Suman joined the school in 2013, the foremost challenges were crumbling infrastructure and an absolute lack of security. Without boundary walls, outsiders could wander in at will. To address this, he engaged local villagers, community representatives, and education department officials. Through collective cooperation, they successfully constructed an 8 to 10-foot-high boundary wall around the campus and installed a secure main gate to keep trespassers out.
Creative Reuse of Materials for Students
Following the construction of the boundary wall, old and dilapidated buildings on the campus were safely demolished. Instead of discarding the rubble, the bricks were utilized to set up a lush garden within the school premises. Furthermore, old Sal wood from the debris was cleverly repurposed to manufacture study desks, benches, and dining tables for the students. Once the perimeter was secured and uninvited visitors were barred, the school environment finally became conducive to serious studies.
Mobilizing Local Youth to Combat Staff Shortages
A severe shortage of teachers posed a massive hurdle for the institution. To find a practical solution, Dwijendra Suman reached out to educated local unemployed youth, inviting them to assist with teaching duties. Initially, he paid these young instructors out of his own salary. As the initiative gained traction, financial contributions were raised through community support, donations, and other local channels. What started with four extra teachers eventually expanded into a dedicated group of 14 instructors.
These helpers were paid a monthly honorarium ranging between 1,000 and 2,000 rupees, a sustainable system that continued right through 2016. This community-driven approach had an immediate, positive impact on student attendance. While earlier classes saw only 50 to 60 children squeezing onto benches, attendance soon surged to roughly 70 to 75 percent across the board.
Championing Water Conservation and Environmental Initiatives
Beyond classroom academics, Dwijendra Suman focused heavily on environmental improvements and water conservation within the school grounds. Inspired by a water conservation campaign led by the then District Magistrate Rajiv Roushan, he spearheaded the construction of seven soak pits near natural water sources around the campus. This initiative won him the first prize at the district level, while the school itself received special recognition for its ecological awareness.
His continuous dedication to improving school activities and educational standards led to honors at both the divisional and state levels. On September 5, 2016, the Divisional Commissioner invited and felicitated him in recognition of his exemplary work. Shortly after, on September 5, 2017, the state government honored him at the Srikrishna Memorial Hall in Patna. Demonstrating immense selflessness, he deposited the entire 15,000-rupee cash reward received from the state government into the Teachers Welfare Fund through the Chief Minister.
National Recognition and Appointment as Headmaster
Years of persistence culminated in 2023 when Dwijendra Kumar was honored with the esteemed National Teachers Award by the President of India. Later that same year, on September 13, he was officially appointed as the regular headmaster of the very institution he worked tirelessly to uplift. The journey of this school from a notorious hub of illicit activities to a beacon of educational excellence stands today as a powerful testament to what strong willpower, community backing, and relentless effort can achieve in public education.
