Sidra: In a remarkable turn of events, the village of Sidra in Rajasthan’s Tonk district has emerged as a hub for Urdu education, propelling its youth towards lucrative government teaching positions. With nearly 300 out of 460 students enrolled in Urdu classes, the village has gained a reputation as a breeding ground for aspiring educators.
As per a report by The Print, the momentum for Urdu education began in 2022 when Kalpana Meena, a local student, achieved a perfect score in her Class 12 Urdu exams, capturing state-wide attention. Today, Sidra boasts over 100 Urdu teachers and professors, many of whom have found employment in educational institutions across Rajasthan.
The village’s embrace of Urdu stems from a strategic response to the high demand for qualified Urdu teachers, particularly in government schools. With an eye on these opportunities, families have encouraged their children to pursue Urdu, viewing it as a pathway to upward mobility.
“Urdu has opened doors for us. It has transformed our village’s future,” said Ramsai Meena, the village sarpanch. With the introduction of Urdu as the third language in local schools, children now eagerly gather to practice the language, honing their skills in the hope of securing government jobs.
Since the formal introduction of Urdu in Sidra’s educational curriculum, the number of students opting for this language has surged. The local school principal, Birbal Meena, noted that the majority of Urdu learners are girls, who see teaching as a viable and respected career choice. This shift marks a significant change in the educational landscape, where previously, many girls did not pursue studies beyond Class 10.
The enthusiasm for Urdu in Sidra is rooted in its historical significance in the region, once ruled by Nawabs, where the language flourished in literature and poetry. The village’s educational journey began in the 1990s when Urdu was introduced as an optional language in a nearby school, gradually gaining traction among students.
Despite the successful integration of Urdu education, challenges remain. Many teaching positions are still vacant across the state, with local authorities calling for increased recruitment to meet demand. In 2022, out of 800 newly recruited teachers, Sidra alone contributed 40, the highest number from any village in Rajasthan.
Interestingly, Sidra’s unique demographic composition adds another layer to its story; the Urdu classes are primarily attended by Hindu students, a testament to the language’s broad appeal beyond religious boundaries. This blend of cultures exemplifies how education can transcend communal lines, fostering unity through shared aspirations.
As Sidra prepares to celebrate its educational achievements with an Urdu festival featuring poetry and cultural performances, other nearby villages are taking note and planning to introduce Urdu in their schools, aiming to replicate Sidra’s success.
In a landscape where government jobs are highly sought after, Sidra’s dedication to Urdu education is not just a cultural endeavor; it’s a calculated strategy for securing a brighter future for its youth. With the local community rallying around this initiative, the village continues to set a powerful example in education and employment opportunities for aspiring teachers across the region.
