Augustine English Medium School

Down the Kheni Renjola Road in Hallikhed, you'll find our school. Bidar is a quiet area, and where we are located, it feels even more tucked away. We decided to set up Augustine English Medium School because parents around here really wanted their kids to learn English. It’s a simple building with a few classrooms and a small yard where the children gather for morning assembly. We don't have any fancy technology or air-conditioned rooms, just fans and blackboards. The road outside can get a bit dusty when the wind picks up, but the kids don't seem to mind. They come in from the surrounding villages, some walking quite a distance. Our staff is a mix of local people and a few who travel in from further away. We spend our days teaching the basics—reading, writing, and math. Lunchtime is usually the loudest part of the day when everyone sits together to eat. We try to keep the atmosphere friendly so the kids feel comfortable asking questions. It’s not a big institution with hundreds of staff members; it’s just a small group of us trying to do a good job. We handle everything ourselves, from fixing the furniture to organizing the year-end programs. It’s hard work, especially when the weather gets hot, but seeing the kids learn new words makes it worth the effort. People around Hallikhed know us well, and they often stop by to chat or check on their children's progress.