After the Floods, Schools Become Islands of Hope

For 16-year-old Gurpreet Singh, the classroom is no longer just a place of learning — it is an anchor in the storm of upheaval brought by the recent floods. A Class X student at the Government Senior Secondary School, Gaggomahal, Gurpreet has lost nearly all his textbooks to the rising waters. Yet, he insists on continuing his studies, determined to sit for his board exams.

“We have lost everything. Our house has deep cracks, and one wall has sunk — we are scared it might collapse any moment. But I wanted to come back to school, to be with my friends. They too have stories like mine,” Gurpreet said, his voice betraying both fragility and determination.

From his village, Bedi Chinna, this school is the closest senior secondary institution. While Gurpreet clings to his academic goals, his elder brother Sarabjeet has had to make a painful sacrifice.

“I have dropped out. I’m working as a daily wage labourer now. After losing our father and elder brother in separate accidents, I am the only one who can earn for the family,” Sarabjeet explained. The family’s elder sister studied only till Class V and now shoulders household duties with their mother.

Gurpreet’s eyes well up when asked about the floods: “I just want to finish school.”

Attendance Surges Despite Losses

In villages across the flood-affected belt of Ajnala and Ramdas, schools have become more than institutions — they are safe havens. Attendance has surged since reopening, as children seek stability, friendship, and a routine in the midst of chaos.

“I was scared when schools were shut. I thought I might never see my friends again or that we would have to move permanently to my aunt’s house. When classes resumed, I felt at peace,” shared Sharandeep Kaur, a Class VIII student of Government School, Pandori.

Even though many children no longer have textbooks or uniforms, their determination to learn is striking. Teachers and parents alike see education as not just continuity, but also therapy.

Teachers Shoulder Recovery

The resilience of students is matched by the dedication of educators. In Kotli Korotana village, barely a few kilometres from the international border, the Government Primary Smart School sustained heavy damage, with classrooms and the kitchen flooded. Still, the two teachers refused to let education stop.

“We conducted the first two days of classes at the local gurdwara to ensure children did not lose momentum. The school building has water seepage and structural issues, but we are determined to keep things running,” said Sukhbir Singh, the head teacher.

To reassure parents, teachers continue to provide mid-day meals despite damaged facilities. “The children have lost their homes and belongings. The least we can do is make school welcoming and safe,” Singh added.

A Path Forward

In a region where families are rebuilding lives brick by brick, schools are quietly leading the recovery effort. They are not only resuming lessons but also restoring community bonds and offering emotional refuge.

For Gurpreet and hundreds like him, the classroom represents the possibility of a future untouched by floodwaters. His determination reflects the spirit of an entire generation of children who, despite living through loss, are holding tightly to hope — one lesson at a time.