Niyaziya Convent School

Down in New Colony Quazi Pura, things are usually pretty lively. Niyaziya Convent School is tucked right into the neighborhood here in Ratlam. You have to navigate the small streets to get to us at 85 New Colony. It is a local place where everyone kind of knows each other. The building is part of the street, so you hear the sounds of the neighborhood all day long. We have the usual setup with benches and boards in the rooms. Most of the children live just a short walk away. We see them coming in groups every morning, chatting and carrying their bags. The space is a bit tight but we make it work for the classes. Sometimes the neighbors’ cows wander past the entrance. We have a small area where we keep the school records and handle the daily chores. It is not like those big fancy schools you see in magazines; it is a practical place for the local families. We deal with the usual stuff like leaky taps or needing more chalk. The teachers here have been around for a long time and know the families well. During the break, the kids stay in the small yard or the classrooms. Ratlam can get very hot, so the fans are always humming in the background. It is just our daily routine of teaching and managing the school in this corner of the city. We don't change much here.