Government Secondary School

Out here in Dharampur, the Government Secondary School stands at number 2. It’s a simple place, built by the state, but it’s got a lot of life in it. Being in Valsad, we get plenty of rain during the monsoon, and the building has seen its fair share of wet seasons. The walls might need a bit of paint here and there, but the structure is solid. We have kids coming from all over the hilly areas and nearby small villages. Some of them walk quite a way to get here every morning. We don't have fancy gadgets or air conditioning. It’s just benches, blackboards, and a lot of hard work. The teachers here are mostly government staff who have been moved around a bit, but they’ve settled in well. During lunch, the courtyard is full of kids sharing their food. It’s a nice sight. We don't have a big gate or a security guard with a uniform. People just know the school is here. The office is usually cluttered with papers and old files, because that’s how government places often look. We do our best with what we have. It’s about the students getting through their exams and moving on to something better. We watch them grow up and leave, then a new batch comes in. It’s a cycle we’ve seen for years now. Dharampur is quiet, and we like it that way. No drama, just lessons and time passing.