Youngsters in Malnad prefer work to higher studies

Poverty, lack of transportation and road connectivity has forced few students to discontinue their college education in Malnad.

As a result, they have been working as domestic help at houses or as coolies at estates, said a survey conducted by the Department of Collegiate Education.

In Davana village of Kanoor gram panchayat, Narasimharajapura taluk alone, 13 students have cut short their studies after PU. In a population of 542, there are only five graduates in the village. The Kanoor Gram Panchayat has a population of 4,190 has only 35 graduates.

While four students from Haledanivasa in Kadahinabailu have discontinued their studies after PU. The village has only four graduates.

Even when the students are interested in taking up further studies, most of them have to discontinue studies, owing lack of bus facilities to travel very far distances to reach a college. Some students have discontinued their studies six years ago.

The Department of Collegiate Education had issued a notification to conduct the survey on dropouts after PU on July 28, 2017.

Accordingly, Narasimharajapura Government First Grade College Assistant Professor Annappa N Malimat had conducted a survey in various villages in the taluk and submitted a report.

“Davana village is situated 40-km away from Narasimharajapura, Balehonnur and Koppa. The students have to walk for six kilometres to reach the main road to catch a bus. This route is risky as it is filled with wild animals. Even after they reach the main roads, the bus frequency is limited. As a result, the students can not reach colleges on time. In addition, the students have to shell out Rs 40 each day to reach the college. All these factors force students to discontinue their studies,” said Annappa N Malimath to DH.

Those who discontinued the studies are working as a coolie in estates.

G C Preethi, a resident of Davana village said, “I completed my PU two years ago. I wished to continue my studies. However, there are no proper facilities that enable students to pursue further education. My parents work as coolies. My brother is pursuing his PU by staying in a hostel at Koppa.”