Mangaluru: Most schools in rural areas lack the kind of infrastructure that we have come to expect from even the most basic educational institutions over the years. The schools are, in a way, a reflection of the society we live in.
One such schools was so deprived for infrastructural facilities, that the headmistress did not have her own room to conduct her daily business or meet visitors to the school. When most schools juggling with such issues turn to government for solution, Dakshina Kannada Lower Primary School in the Ojala Village of Kabaka in Puttur Taluk has shown a way. Instead of running from pillar to post for funds, the locals took the situation under control and solved the issues haunting the school.
The school was started in 1967 and has only recently entered its 51st year of operation. At present there are 46 students from class I to V.
For many years, the school managed with just three classrooms. There was no separate staff room for teachers, or a separate chamber for the principal of the school. The headmistress and her staff were compelled to work out of the fourth standard classroom. Even when there were visitors to the school, the headmistress had no other choice but to meet them in the same classroom and it could be seen that this was a hindrance to the students who were studying in the same classroom.
During the golden jubilee celebrations however, the School Development and Monitoring Committee decided to construct a separate chamber for headmistress and teachers. Meanwhile, the Nirmiti Kendra also assured provision of construction materials for the project. The School Development and Monitoring Committee president, Sundar Gowda took the initiative of this project along with the students’ parents.
Speaking to Newskarnataka.com, the school’s headmistress Wilma Sequeira said, “The SDMC president along with the parents of the 46 students have toiled to construct the headmistress’ room. There wasn’t even a proper hall to serve midday meals to the students, and so they constructed a hall too. We are really happy now.”
Teachers pay from pocket
The school is truly a role model for the rest in ways more than one. The headmistress and her staff have had to endure a lot of hardships due to shortage of teachers. Including the headmistress, there are only three teachers at the school. None of them, however, were able to teach computers. They finally decided to hire a computer teacher for the students and paid her salary from their own pockets. The new computer teacher trains the students twice a week.
Jasmine spreads its fragrance
About three years ago, the SKDRDP members had brought some jasmine saplings to the school and the students and the teachers decided to nurture those saplings. What more, three years down the line, as on October, 2017, the school earned a sum of Rs 15,000 from jasmine cultivation.
“After spending some amount on school, we have deposited the remaining amount in the bank. We have plans to start Class VI in future,” the head teacher said.
The school can surely be announced as one of the most vibrant success stories of the region, which teaches that a lot can be achieved through unity, dedication and teamwork.
