JOIN US'Manthana' starts showing results
Manthana, a personality development programme for backward classes, minorities and specially-abled students, has started showing results in Dakshina Kannada and it could turn out to be a model for backward districts to replicate it. The authorities concerned will have to extend the required support for the scheme.
Manthana was introduced in more than 100 hostels, including 29 social welfare department hostels (for SC students), 60 BCM hostels, Morarji Desai Schools (MDRS) and Integrated Tribal Development Project (ITDP) hostels (for ST students) in Dakshina Kannada in 2011. Under the programme, pre-matric category covers students between 6th standard and 10th standard, while post-matric includes students studying in pre-university and degree colleges.
Morarji schools shine
The scheme lays emphasis on SSLC students by conducting special teaching and coaching classes. The 2012-13 SSLC results are an indication of the success of the scheme. Of the seven government high schools that have achieved 100 per cent , five are Morarji Desai Schools-- MDRS Mundaje, MDRS Kammaje, MDRS Machina MDRS Kallabettu and MDRS Sulai (Panja)-- where Manthana was introduced with a lot of hope. All students, who wrote exams in Mundaje (22), Kammaje (43), Kallabettu (31), Machina (49) and Sullai (Panja) (30) have cleared the examination.
MDRS Mundaje, MDRS Kammaje and MDRS Kallabettu come under the social welfare department while other two are meant for minorities. The pass percentage of these schools is also impressive compared to the overall result. Even in post-matric category, Minority Science P U College, Nattakallu in Mangalore has achieved 94.40 per cent in PCMB and 91 per cent in PCMC.
More about the scheme
The scheme mainly focusses on the overall development. Student is taught about human relations, environment, AIDS awareness, social values, health and dental check-up, cleanliness, food habit and human rights with the help of resource persons. Various cultural programmes and special classes are conducted to improve speaking and mental abilities. Under the scheme, schools should conduct minimum 2 classes of 3 hours per month. Social Welfare Department official Santhosh said that schools have to organise at least 18 programmes in nine months. “We collect information from every school,” he said.
Few things to be changed
Speaking to Deccan Herald, District Social Welfare Officer Arun Furtado said that the scheme’s success depends on beneficiaries than the government.
“The government has earmarked no special fund for the scheme. Local residents should bear the expenses. The hostel wardens have to make arrangements and invite the resource persons. So we could not reach many interior places of the district,” he said.
Dakshina Kannada ZP CEO Dr N Vijayprakash said that the scheme is helpful to those not having exposure, confidence and orientation.
“It would help students who suffer with inferiority complex. But, sometimes resource persons won’t agree to come to rural places. The role of volunteers is also important.
So, we will design a separate programme for rural areas in the next academic year. The commitment of the government is very important,” he told Deccan Herald.