Rajnagar
The town of Rajnagar is located in the Chhatarpur district of Madhya Pradesh and is approximately 4 km from Khajuraho. According to the 2001 Census of India the population of Rajnagar was 12,442 of whom 53% were male and 47% female. The average literacy rate was 55%, which was lower than the national average of 59.5%. Male literacy at 63% is much higher than female literacy at 46%. In addition 18% of the population was under 6 years of age. In 2011 the Census of India reported that the population of Rajnagar was 14,253.

















In terms of employment, there are a number of granite quarries in Chhatarpur district but most people are enganged in agriculture and farming.

In the city of Chhatarpur there is a growing commercial sector based mainly on retail businesses.

But the purpose of our visit here is to see one of local primary schools in Rajnagar.

Kanchan Primary School
We visited the local "free" school which operates a shift system from 8.00 am - 1.00 pm and 1.00pm to 4.00pm with four classes. Located in Rajnagar, the co-educational primary school is privately funded and currently has just over fifty pupils.














According to government records the medium of instruction at the school is Hindi, there are three teachers, five classrooms, five blackboards and twenty books.

We are shown around the school and say hello to the children in each of the classes. Some of the children are learning English. The younger children, who sit on the floor, continue with their lesson when we enter the classroom. However we have clearly interrupted the rhythm and concentration of the older children who have desks and chairs and stand obediently when we walk in, but have a tired look of welcoming yet another group of tourists.






























At the end of our tour we spend some time with the head teacher in his office which is small and spartan, apart from a chair and table which serves as a desk. He stands in front of the bookshelves, which are bereft of books but has a small trophy or shield, some Indian flags and a small fire extinguisher. We engage in conversation and listen to the challenges faced by the school, their hopes and aspirations. But it is clear that our visit has come to an end and now it's time to make a small donation to the school. We are told by the guide that our donation will probably pay a teacher's salary for a week.