It isn't just the school that is growing; it is the belief in the children's potential.

[Razin Mahmud Khan]

Assalamu-alaikum. 

This is Razin Mahmud Khan of 22, currently studying BA at Jashore University of Science and Technology, Bangladesh.

I co-lead a free school for unprivileged children named "Skuler Baire Shekha" after school program of Grow Your Reader Foundation and I am a junior coordinator there. At the beginning of our journey, a few students used to come. After enormous parents meetings and home visits a little change was visible. The dream of a free haven for learning had been met with initial enthusiasm, but the trickle of students remained just a trickle. Parents were hesitant, some even suspicious. We poured over lesson plans, decorated the space with colorful paper chains, and even bribed a few kids with cookies. But the effect was minimal. Then, a new idea bloomed: the "SALT Session."

Instead of focusing solely on recruitment, I decided to visit the children at home with other teachers. This time the visits wouldn't be about pleading or persuasion. This would be about appreciation about celebrating the potential we saw in each child. 

Our first stop was Maya's house. Maya, a shy girl with eyes full of curiosity, was often absent. Stepping into the humble hut, I greeted Maya's mother, a woman with worry etched on her face. With a smile, I pulled out a notebook filled with Maya's artwork. "Look at these drawings, Maya!" I exclaimed, flipping through the pages. Each colorful bird and swirling flower was a testament to Maya's creativity. "She has such a brilliant imagination!" 

Maya beamed, a rare smile lighting up her face. Her mother, too, softened, a spark of pride igniting in her eyes. I spent the next hour talking about Maya's strengths, her eagerness to learn, and how the After School Programme could nurture her talents.

The next few weeks were a whirlwind. I, with my colleague and other teachers visited each family, conducting not exactly "SALT Sessions" but appreciate and celebrate the potential we saw in each child. We praised Aslam's quick wit, highlighted Maria's storytelling ability, and marveled at Rabeya's problem-solving skills evident in his makeshift toys. Word spread like wildfire. Parents who had been hesitant were now enthusiastic. They saw their children not just as helping hands at home, but as individuals brimming with potential. The school building, once a lonely witness, became a hive of activity. Laughter echoed as children learned, played and discovered.

One afternoon, Maya hesitantly showed me a new drawing. It wasn't just birds and flowers anymore; it depicted a bustling classroom with a smiling teacher and children like her, eager to learn. It isn't just the school that is growing; it is the belief in the children's potential. 

The "SALT Sessions" had become the secret ingredient, transforming the After School Program from a dream into a vibrant reality. I realized that sometimes, the most effective way to build a school wasn't by filling it with empty desks but by filling hearts with the belief that magic could happen, one child, one appreciative word at a time. Thank you for allowing me to learn the secret ingredients of the SALT. 

[Razin Mahmud Khan]

Thank you @Dr. Suresh Sundar and @Ritu B. Nanda. Approximately 47% students used to come at our school before, however, today after so many SALT sessions now 78% students are coming at the school regularly where girls attendance increased significantly. And I really liked Suresh Sundar Sir's idea. I will try my utmost to make presentations by the students on a regular basis. Thanks for the idea, I really appreciate it.❤️

[Dr. Suresh Sundar]

👌👍
Also... if each child by rotation can make a presentation to the class on a day to day basis, it can be a motivator. Best wishes,

[Rituu B. Nanda]

This is a beautiful narration of change, Rizan! congratulations on your work.

What is the percentage increase in attendance? Is the increase more significant among boys or girls? It would be helpful to examine the factors contributing to this change