More than a hundred years ago, Swami Vivekananda stated, "We want an education which builds character, increases the strength of mind, expands intellect, and equips a person to stand on his/her own feet." In the context of increasing conflicts and wars across the globe—often driven by xenophobic, right-wing leaders—the world is in urgent need of a humanising education that empowers the marginalised, the excluded, and the discriminated.

It is reported that more than 170,000 soldiers and civilians have died in the Russia-Ukraine war. According to Gaza's Health Ministry, Israel's war on Gaza has killed at least 56,412 people and wounded 133,054. Tragically, a large majority of those killed in Gaza are women and children. The actual casualty figures from the recent Israel-Iran conflict remain unknown, as both countries are reluctant to disclose the real death toll.

The normalisation of killing and injuring human beings by any means is becoming alarmingly common in many so-called civilised societies. Billions of dollars are being spent on the production and purchase of weapons, while millions of people go hungry and are denied basic education, healthcare, and housing. This is yet another dimension of the inhumanity perpetuated by heartless leaders.

During the 12-day war between Israel and Iran, the direct and indirect financial losses for Iran were estimated between $24–$35 billion—approximately 6–9 per cent of its GDP—according to a report published by ETNOW on June 28.

The preamble of UNESCO begins with a profound statement: "Since wars begin in the minds of men, it is in the minds of men that the defences of peace must be constructed." Education remains the most effective tool for cultivating peace and respect for human life among children and youth. Dr. Haim Ginott, a school teacher and child psychologist who survived a Nazi concentration camp, once wrote:

"I am a survivor of a concentration camp. My eyes saw what no person should witness: gas chambers built by learned engineers, children poisoned by educated physicians, infants killed by trained nurses, women and babies shot by high school and college graduates. So, I am suspicious of education. My request is: Help your children become human. Your efforts must never produce learned monsters or skilled psychopaths. Reading, writing and arithmetic are important only if they serve to make our children more human."

Today, the world not only suffers from a scarcity of leaders who uphold human values and dignity but is also witnessing the rise of leaders whose priorities are centred on retaining power at any cost, promoting majoritarian nationalism, and enforcing exclusion and discrimination based on race, religion, caste, and more. These leaders aim to make their nations "great" by perpetrating inhumanity against people both within and outside their borders. While various factors contribute to this grim situation, one of the most significant may be the shortcomings of our education systems, especially the neglect of human rights, ethical values, and moral education.

During an orientation programme for student leaders at Sanjeevani Vidyapeeth, located in the interior village of Usri in Narsinghpur district, Madhya Pradesh, students were asked, "What is the purpose of education?" A ninth-grade girl confidently replied, "To create good human beings." An eighth-grade boy responded, "To develop good leaders." Such thoughtful answers are rarely heard from students in prestigious urban schools and reflect the strong human and moral values instilled in the students of Sanjeevani Vidyapeeth.

The resource persons conducting the orientation spoke in Hindi, while the students responded fluently in English, and with accuracy. In many rural and semi-urban schools, students struggle to speak even simple English without errors, but the students of Sanjeevani Vidyapeeth appear to be a remarkable exception.

Evidently, the principal and staff of Sanjeevani Vidyapeeth emphasise both core aspects of education: character development and competence building. The school places special focus on preserving traditional tribal values such as concern for others, the common good, and environmental protection. Students are encouraged to stay connected to their cultural roots. Through vegetable and flower gardening, as well as organic farming on small plots, they are inspired to develop a bond with nature and agriculture.

The advent of the internet, smartphones, and social media has contributed to the erosion of traditional tribal values, replacing them with consumerism, competition, and a focus on personal gain. Therefore, the school management and staff are making concerted efforts to preserve and promote ethical and human values such as honesty, compassion, altruism, and a commitment to the common good.

Building academic competence is challenging for several reasons, the most pressing being the difficulty of attracting qualified teachers to a remote village. To recruit competent teachers, attractive salaries are necessary, but the school's financial situation is constrained due to the low-income levels of the local community. Additionally, many parents or guardians are unable to support their children's education because they lack education beyond the primary level and are not proficient in English.

Despite these challenges, the academic results have been highly encouraging. Since 2018, students from Sanjeevani Vidyapeeth who appeared for the Class X Board Examinations have performed exceptionally well. In 2024–25, out of 32 students, 4 scored above 90% (with the highest score being 96%), 20 secured a distinction (above 75%), 7 earned a first class (above 60%), and one secured a second class. None failed. The four students who scored above 90% were felicitated by the district collector. According to Principal Fr. Martin Mandumpala, CMI, all 32 students have continued their studies in Class XI at various schools.

Another distinctive feature of the school is the high number of students who gain admission to Navodaya Vidyalaya and Utkrishta Vidyalaya after Classes V and VII. This is a point of pride for the school management, as these government-supported institutions provide quality education at no cost and offer free hostel accommodation. However, it also means the school loses several bright students who could have further boosted its Class X results.

Remarkably, the school has achieved a 100% pass rate in board exams every year. Between 2017–18 and 2024–25, a total of 242 students passed the Class X board examination, most with marks above 60%. Nearly all of them continued their education—an outcome that might not have been possible without Sanjeevani Vidyapeeth.

Established in 2005 by the CMI St. Paul Province, Bhopal, Sanjeevani Vidyapeeth's primary objective is to empower marginalised communities through quality education. Nestled in the rural heartland of Usri, the school carries forward the educational legacy of Saint Kuriakose Elias Chavara, founder of the CMI Congregation. The province always knew that the institution might never be financially self-supporting; it was envisioned as a philanthropic initiative. Fees collected from students cover only 50–60% of the school's operational costs, with the rest supported by the CMI St. Paul Province.

More than 50% of the students belong to the Gond tribal community. Only 2% are from the general category, while the rest come from Other Backwards Communities (OBCs). The school, therefore, serves the educational needs of underprivileged groups.

Local people often say, "Sanjeevani Vidyapeeth is a great gift to the people of this area, and we are very grateful to the school management." However, a small group aligned with right-wing organisations occasionally creates problems, opposing the idea of poor children—especially tribals—receiving quality English-medium education. They sometimes raise unfounded allegations of religious conversion.

The Catholic Church has made significant contributions to empowering the poor in India through education. Opposition from fundamentalist groups should not deter dioceses and religious congregations from continuing this noble mission.

Education for the poor and underprivileged must be both humanising and empowering. Sanjeevani Vidyapeeth is an exemplary institution that demonstrates how quality education can empower children from tribal and underprivileged communities, transforming them into responsible individuals committed to the core values of the Indian Constitution. The school remains steadfast in its mission to bridge the rural-urban education divide and to ensure that no child is deprived of quality learning opportunities.