In a remarkable twist of duty, the Amihiya police station in Madhya Pradesh's Rewa district is trading handcuffs for chalk dust. For over eight months, this police station has been doubling as a vibrant evening classroom, offering free education to more than 100 underprivileged children and quietly rewriting the narrative around the men and women in khaki.
From FIRs to the Alphabet: A Police Station's New Beat
While filing First Information Reports (FIRs) remains its core function, the Amihiya police station has expanded its service to the full alphabet. Every day, from 4 PM to 6 PM, the premises undergo a transformation. Blackboards and benches replace the usual paraphernalia as the station opens its doors to students and volunteer teachers.
"What started as teaching a handful of children on sheets has now grown into a full-fledged class," said police station in-charge Shiva Agarwal. The initiative, which began modestly, now nurtures nearly 100 students ranging from Class 1 to higher grades, guided by three dedicated teachers.
A Mission to Soften the Khaki's Image
The driving force behind this unique school is a dual-purpose mission: to give back to society and to change the public perception of the police force. Agarwal, who himself tutored students while preparing for competitive exams, highlighted this goal. "People are scared of police. When children study here, they and their parents see a different face of the police. For us, watching children study inside a police station is a huge stress buster," he explained.
The school operates on a sustainable and transparent model, funded entirely by contributions from the police station staff. "We have consciously avoided donations so that the initiative remains simple and transparent," Agarwal stated, ensuring the project's integrity.
Teachers and Students: Stories of Transformation
The teaching staff includes an elderly former schoolteacher who found new purpose through this initiative. After being abandoned by his family and living in a nearby old age home, this school has "given him dignity and purpose again," as noted by Agarwal.
The curriculum is designed for holistic development. Classes are held in three batches, primarily for children attending government schools. Every day features a 15-minute English speaking session, and every Sunday is dedicated to personality development classes. Teacher Ayush Awasthi has observed a "remarkable" change in the students. "Some couldn't even write alphabets. Now they can speak basic English and participate confidently," he said with pride.
For young learners like Ananya Mishra, the police station has become a sanctuary of learning and joy. "I love coming here. It helps me in my studies," she shared, reflecting the positive environment fostered by the cops.
This path-breaking education trail blazed by the Amihiya police is more than just an after-school program. It is a powerful lesson in community trust, hope, and the transformative power of compassion, taught one evening at a time in the most unexpected of classrooms.
