Problems Faced by Rural Children

I think, lack of funds is the most major issue in most rural families and schools. Here is a list of some common problems in a typical rural school. I have seen most of these myself.

• Termite ridden tables which can fall anytime because of the weight of a computer

• Dusty places to eat mid-day meals 

• Lack of internet 

• Improper toilets 

• Old office tables that can fall anytime 

• Walls that are ready to fall and thus collapsing the whole room (such rooms are kept unused) 

• Old buildings 

• Poor quality teachers 

• Students wear the uniforms (provided by the government through the school) whole day long, even after the school hours, because they can not afford more

• If a woolen provided by the government gets torn or eaten by a rat, there is not an easy way to get a new one in chilly winters.

• If a teacher asks a student, "What does your father do?", in some cases, the student does not want to answer in front of the rest of the students because his father is working as a sweeper.

• Students work as vendors (redi waala) after the school hours

• Toxic family background: Children of alcoholic fathers who beat the mother and children

• Disturbed parents and not much emotional support at home

• There are children who are into drugs or have a mental illness but no one to help them

• Children having serious health issues but not much help

• Lack of computers 

• Lack of useful software

• Lack of technical know-how

• Lack of proper teacher training