Modern English School

If you find yourself over in Shivshakti Society, you’ll probably see our sign for Modern English School. We are located right on Bhatlai Road out in the Hazira area of Surat. It’s a bit of a trek for some, but for the people living nearby, it’s just a short walk. The school isn't some high-tech facility with shiny everything. It’s a series of rooms where we try to keep things organized. The gate opens early so the morning air can get into the hallways before it gets too muggy. Sometimes the goats from the nearby houses wander a bit too close to the entrance, and we have to shoo them away. That’s just part of being in this neighborhood. Inside, you’ll find rows of benches and boards that have seen better days but still work fine for writing out English verbs. Most of us here grew up in the area or have lived in Surat for decades. We talk to the parents at the local market more often than in formal meetings. It’s a simple setup. We focus on the books and making sure the kids actually understand what they are reading. There’s a lot of chatter during the breaks, and the sound echoes off the walls quite a bit. It’s a busy place, but it feels like home to most of the staff. We just keep doing what we do every day without much fuss or any special equipment.