Hi
I can understand your frustration and anxiety at the indifference shown by the school children in the semi urban areas. As a teacher you are also perturbed by the haplessness that you are in and as you rightly pointed out your colleagues and you will also slowly become demotivated day after day.
To my way of thinking, there are 3 steps that you would need to do in order to enthuse your students and the teaching faculty.
Analyze the cause – Possible focus areas could be
Poor school facilities
Indifference of parents
Students do not like to be disciplined
Pressure to work to supplement income
Poor / uninspiring teaching methodology
Fear of failure/ punishments
Take Proactive steps – based on the analysis
The first step is to find ways and means of making the teaching interesting
The focus on getting the students motivated e.g. incentives for attendance/ participation in activities/ recognition of their talents/ achievements etc.
Find ways to motivate teachers and staff members
Link the learning with practical application so that the students can visualize the perceived benefit of the learning
Keep innovating
Seek out a sister school arrangement with an urban school so as to get financial support/ donations of sports equipment/ lab equipment/ computers / school bags/ cycles etc.
Work out an arrangement to visit an urban school / organize an event and invite students of urban school
Get the local leadership to take a proactive interest in the school and upgrade the facilities
Get expert help to upgrade the knowledge and teaching skills of the staff
I am sharing a link to an innovative science teachers website and I am sure you will be access a rich source of inputs relevant to your requirements there too
ArvindGuptaToys Books Gallery
It is possible that you would have tried many of the suggestions listed above without much success. However patience is a virtue that is a must when you are in the business of molding lives. Equally importantly, hope is another virtue that must be kindled within you.
Remember your role is not to take the horse to the water, but to make the horse thirsty and they will seek out the pastures and watering holes themselves.
Best wishes for your noble endeavor.