From 30th, Kolar vaults to 8th

After a consecutive slide for three years, Kolar is at the eighth position in the State this year.

The Education department had come under fire for the debacle over the last three years. The district stood at 24th rank in 2007-08, slipped to 29th position in 2009-10 and further down to 30th rank in 2009-10. But this year, the district has registered a pass percentage of 81.46 against last year’s 57.81 pc.

Worried over the nosediving performance, the Education department swung into action. Unique strategies were formulated to stem further decline. New concepts were developed to involve the teaching fraternity and an inclusive approach was adopted.

The zilla panchayat and the Education department together brought out “Spoorthi,” a manual for teachers in July last year. The manual listed out the measures the teachers should adopt to bring in a qualitative change in results.

As many as 56 schools with a pass percentage of below 50 were given in adoption to 12 offices of the department.

In addition, students lagging in studies were given in adoption to teachers of respective schools. Even a hostel was adopted. A question bank containing chapter-wise questions was brought out in November. Two meetings of headmasters were held to review the results of preliminary examinations. Consistent efforts were made throughout the year, with the sole focus on enhancing the performance in examinations.

Rich dividends

And the efforts yielded rich dividends. Of the 22,675 students who appeared for the exam, 18,470 have passed. And girls outnumber boys - 9,470 against 9,000 boys.  Forty schools have registered a centum performance of which13 are government schools.

“The outstanding results dispelled the doubts of sceptics. And now, the outcome has given an headstart for the district,” block education officer A N Nagendra told Deccan Herald.

He said the district could scale further heights and even top the State, if last year’s efforts were continued with the increased zeal and determination.