"Education Is Not the Filling of a Pail, But the Lighting of a Fire"

Every person at a certain stage of his/her life dreams to do something and deeply wishes to make the same a reality. Similarly, I also did dream something in my life and it was to spread literacy among the people living in rural areas. With this aim and zeal to fulfill it, I established Khantura Oxebow English School at Khantura, Gobardanga in 2011.

In the year 1998, when I came to Gobardanga, I faced lots of difficulties among which the lack of good English medium school in the locality was the most prominent one. Pondering over it, I realised many other local people like me aspire to educate their children or grandchildren through international language. At that point I made up my mind of starting an English medium school in this small rural yet traditional town of West Bengal which became a reality in 2011 through the establishment of Khantura Oxebow English School.

The child develops like the turning of a ‘bud into a flower'. The jug and mug theory is not education. Our aim is to teach students to LEARN, not just STUDY. Hence, we strive to travel beyond the boundaries of mere books. We have realized that the future is abstract and unknown but the youth in our hands are real and can be molded. Our personality is the key part of our identity. Each personality has his own God given talents. Some dormant in the individual and some much expressed. Education becomes fruitful when each student is accepted with his own views, talents and personality. Beyond providing a sound education, we wish to provide our students a holistic learning experience for life.

I always believe that "You don't have to be great to start, but you have to start to be great." With the supports of the local people and all the well-wishers we have travelled a long journey with a series of tiny steps. Amidst all the satisfaction of fulfilling my dream, it was extremely hearth-wrenching to see our talented students leaving their beloved school with heavy hearts as our school was not affiliated to the Central Council of Indian School Certificate Examination (ICSE). I took it as a challenge and after a long struggle, finally with great pride and immense pleasure I declare that the school which was born in 2011 has now become the first ICSE affiliated school in our locality with the help and cooperation of my fellow citizens.

I hope that this institution will continue to create individuals who would aim for the sky without losing focus of one’s root and ethics. I lend my best wishes to all the members of Khantura Oxebow English School for keeping this noble vision alive

We Wish, their positive efforts will be successful.

Regards

Arabinda Sarkar

Chairperson

Khantura Oxebow English School