JOIN USUrging the state government to save government schools from closure and to also frame a comprehensive education policy for the state, Sri Durga Friends Club president Prakash Anchan and Anil Shetty from Bengaluru have initiated ‘Missed Call Campaign’ across the state.
Speaking to DH, Anchan said the programme was launched at a programme held at Daddalakadu government higher primary school, at Karenki in Moodanadugodu, Bantwal taluk. It is an attempt to bring to the government’s notice of the need to improve facilities in government schools in order to attract students.
Both Anchan and Shetty have been visiting different parts of the state to mobilise people’s opinion on the need to save government schools from getting closed. As part of the campaign, a jatha will be held from the Freedom Park in Bengaluru to Vidhana Soudha on September 8 at 11 am. A large number of parents and like-minded organisations are likely to take part in the jatha.
There are 33,712 government schools in the state. More than 300 schools do not have students. Many schools lack basic facilities, including teachers. Some schools have teachers and lack students.
“In one week, we have received over one lakh missed calls from the people to save government schools in the state. I will be visiting schools in Hassan, Chikkaballapur and other districts as part of the campaign.”
Sharing the success story of Daddalakadu government higher primary school at Karenki, he said that when the school was on the verge of closure, it was Sri Durga Friends Club that decided to save the school by adopting it and imparting education in English medium. From 30 students a few years ago, the students’ strength has now increased to 500. “The notion that English medium schools are meant for the rich needs to be changed.”
With the help of the donors, the school is offering everything free of cost to children from LKG to Class 8. The club has recruited 15 guest teachers to the school. There are three buses to ferry the students. “We pay the salaries of the guest teachers. The work on the state-of-the-art building for the school, at an estimated cost of Rs 2.5 crore, is in progress,” said Anchan.
If the government could take up an initiative to start English medium and introduce kindergarten, with state-of-the-art facilities in at least 5 government schools in each taluk in a year, then all government schools can be saved, he felt.
“When a youth club can do wonders to save a government school from getting shut down, why can’t the government do so? he asked.
“I am confident that the government, led by Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy, will back us in safeguarding the government schools,” Anchan added.