Govt school imparts key lessons
This school believes in providing value-based eduction to its students, and not just a curriculum-based one. We are talking about the Dakshina Kannada Zilla Panchayat Higher Primary School of Keddalike in Belthangady taluk.
Nearly half of the students who attend this school belong to the Scheduled Castes and Tribes, and most of them have barely enough for a square meal. They trudge at least two kilometers to reach school. The Head Master of the school, K Ramesh Nayak, has revolutionised the idea of schooling in the region.
Unlike other government schools, this one has many pluses. Not a single vegetable is bought for the mid-day meal that is cooked for students here. “Students raise vegetables in the school premises. They spend one hour each day on productive work. The hour is typically dedicated to farming. Students are divided into groups of eight to ten each. This initiative, which was started four years ago, continues to be a successful one. “Students raise hybrid bananas, brinjals, okra and other vegetables. Organic waste is converted into compost and used for farming,” explains Head Master Ramesh Nayak.
Rainwater harvesting is another project the school has taken up in right earnest. Harvested water is used for farming and washing. Absorption pits have been dug in the school premises, and it is ensured that rain water doesn’t go waste.
Students have also maintained a nice garden in the school’s premises. In front of the school is an outline of the map of India etched within a pool. The outline is a concrete structure but grass has been grown on the boundaries. With fish in the pool, India makes for a pretty picture. Plastic is prohibited in the school campus. Any plastic is collected in a can placed outside the school.
Even as one enters the school premises, one is greeted by a hut-like structure called ‘Siridompa.’ Classes are held here during summer. It is also used for cultural activities. Paper cut-outs with different Kannada words on one side and antonyms on the other draw attention, and is a reflection of the creativity of teachers here.
The walls of the school are painted with meaningful quotes. Students of this higher primary school have also been provided the opportunity of learning through radio. Students are split into three groups, called Keli kali, Chukki chinna and Chinnara chukki. A collection called Thingala thirulu, a collection of education-related news snippets published in various newspapers are available in the school. Also, a school day function and educational tours are organised, though there is no specific government fund for the same.
The school has a good library with a massive collection of 902 books.
Every class has a section called ‘Reading Corner.’ It is compulsory for every student to borrow at least two books per week.
A slew of students’ associations add to the robust learning process here. There’s even a team that maintains the records of different activities organised in the school and works for the benefit of children who cannot attend school. During summer holidays, the school organises camps for ten days.
SDMC support
The school has eight staff members including Head Master Ramesh Nayak. Ramesh Nayak is all praise for the School Development and Monitoring Committee (SDMC) and villagers for their support. The SDMC which was awarded the ‘Best SDMC of the Year’ in 2010, worked as a bridge between villagers and the school. Committee President Divakara Das has donated books for students from the past two years.
The support of the SDMC has meant that the Shalegagi Navu Neevu programme of the government has been implemented well in the school. The programme raises awareness among parents about the basic rights of children.
For its many programmes and achievements, the school has been rewarded at various levels.
Taluk and district-level awards comprising cash prizes of Rs 20,000 and Rs 30,000 have been bestowed on the school. The Keddalike school also won the overall championship at Prathibha Karanji for the last three consecutive years, at the cluster level. Four students of the school also got the honour of participating in the Vishwa Kannada Sammelana.
