School set up by protesting farmers - 29th January 2021

An improvised school has been set up on the outskirts of New Delhi by protesting farmer's unions furious at changes to agricultural legislation.

Over 60 pupils aged between 3 and 13, many without any prior schooling, are having lessons in the makeshift tent setup to accommodate their classes.

The children were encouraged to attend the informal school by the farmers who noticed them at the local community kitchen or wandering the nearby slums in search of bottles to recycle.

Following a group meditation session at 11am, teachers gather children into five classes to deliver 3 hours of daily tuition. The curriculum includes literacy and story-telling, with English proving particularly popular with the pupils.

The school is supplied with educational materials by the farmers and local Sikh communities and at night, it doubles as a shelter for those without accommodation.

The school operates against the backdrop of the farmers' protracted demonstrations against deregulation of the agricultural market. New laws lay out the framework for private traders to procure produce directly from the farmers, bypassing government marketing boards which ensure fair prices. The protesting farmers believe these laws will lead to large corporations dominating the market, putting their livelihoods at risk.