Location: Mawphrew, Umling Block, Ri Bhoi District, Meghalaya
In the quiet village of Mawphrew, education is taking a new and deeply human form. Here, women leaders, members of Self-Help Groups (SHGs) and the Village Organisation (VO), are reimagining learning — not as a privilege, but as a shared community effort. Through two parallel initiatives, free tuitions for struggling students and the School for Mothers, the village is slowly redefining what it means to learn, grow, and support one another.
PART I — SCHOOL FOR STUDENTS: FREE TUITION FOR A SECOND CHANCE
The idea began with Ms. Babiangmon Lapang, Secretary of the Village Organisation and an SHG member, who saw an urgent issue growing quietly in her community — children dropping out of school, not because they wanted to, but because they were too ashamed to continue.
Despite reaching Classes 7 or 8, many children still struggled to read fluently or write simple words correctly. Their difficulties with pronunciation, spelling, and comprehension often led to poor exam performance and, eventually, to them leaving school altogether.
Determined to change this, Babiangmon decided to start free tuition classes on 2nd December 2023, during the winter break. The aim was to help children, especially those from low-income families, rebuild their confidence and strengthen their basic learning.
“These children are capable — they just needed patience, understanding, and guidance,” she shares. “Our goal is to make them love learning again.”
Her classes cater to students from Classes 4 to 10, mostly from the local SSA school. The focus is on reading, writing, and concept understanding rather than rote memorisation. For Class 10 students preparing for board exams, special sessions are organised to clarify difficult subjects and translate textbook content into Khasi, making it easier for them to grasp key ideas.
Parents are slowly realising the value of the initiative, as children begin to show improvement in both confidence and performance. Babiangmon’s efforts have also inspired others in the village to contribute — from volunteering to teach, to providing learning materials.
“Education here is no longer just about passing exams,” says a community elder. “It’s about giving our children a fair chance to dream.”
PART II — SCHOOL FOR MOTHERS: LEARNING WITHOUT AGE
As the free tuitions flourished, another movement began to take shape — this time among the mothers and elderly women of the village. Many of them had never gone to school but had long desired to learn the basics of reading, writing, and managing daily tasks with confidence.
Thus emerged the School for Mothers — a learning space where women and elders gather to learn together, guided by patience, community spirit, and shared encouragement.
Mrs. Theodora Maring, a farmer from Mawphrew, joined to learn basic literacy and financial knowledge. Today, she confidently fills out bank slips, deposits and withdraws cash, and even teaches her family members how to do the same.
“Before, I felt nervous to go to the bank alone. Now I can manage by myself,” Theodora shares proudly.
Another learner, Mrs. Mary Myrthong, a 45-year-old farmer from Myrthong, is attending school for the first time in her life. She is learning to write her name and perform simple math. Though still shy and learning at her own pace, her progress has been steady and inspiring.
For these women, education has become a form of independence — a way to understand, to participate, and to feel confident in handling their affairs.
Ms. Leona Maring, a teacher and community member, explains:
“This is not just a classroom. It’s a safe space where mothers and elders can rediscover the joy of learning — and share that spirit with their families.”
THE VO THAT LEADS BY EXAMPLE
Behind these efforts stands the Village Organisation of Mawphrew, led by Mrs. Helena Makri, its President since 2019. Comprising 10 active SHGs, the VO has turned community development into a shared mission.
Their initiatives include:
- Free tuition classes for children who struggle academically.
- School for Mothers and elderly learners.
- Kitchen gardens in every household to strengthen food security.
- Farmer schools promoting organic farming and natural fertilisers.
- Tree plantation and monthly clean drives, which earned the village State Government recognition.
- Awareness programmes on teenage pregnancy and maternal health.
Helena believes the present success builds on the foundation laid by earlier SHG leaders from the year 2000. “They showed us the path,” she says. “Today, we continue their legacy — with men and youth joining hands through the Dorbar Shnong and village clubs.”
A COMMUNITY OF LEARNING
The School for Mothers and the free tuitions for students together form the heartbeat of Mawphrew’s educational renewal. Children regain confidence, mothers rediscover independence, and the village grows stronger through the simple act of learning together.
In this village, learning no longer stops at the classroom door — it continues in every home, every discussion, and every shared story.
“When one person learns, the whole village shines.”
Mawphrew’s story stands as a reminder that education is not just about literacy — it is about dignity, understanding, and the courage to begin again.