Mangaluru: The DK Zilla Panchayat Government Higher Primary School in Veeramangala, Puttur, which operates seven days a week, has been honoured as the ‘Best PM-SHRI School’ in Dakshina Kannada district. The announcement was made by Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan during the Akhil Bharatiya Shiksha Samagam 2025 held in New Delhi, marking five years of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020.

The award recognises top-performing Pradhan Mantri Schools for Rising India (PM-SHRI) across the country — one from each district, 24 Kendriya Vidyalayas, and seven Navodaya Vidyalayas. In Dakshina Kannada, Veeramangala School stood out among 17 PM-SHRI schools, having successfully met all key assessment parameters.

Headmaster Tharanath P S attributed the achievement to collective efforts from teachers, students, parents, SDMC members, and local residents. He highlighted the school’s strengths in areas like pedagogy, inclusive education, leadership, infrastructure, science and math learning, and gender equity.

Initiatives include:

  • A green campus

  • Focus on yoga, computer education, indoor/outdoor games

  • Vegetable and medical gardens

  • A unique open library accessible to villagers

  • Exposure visits to farms, historical sites, and science centres

  • Sunday activities such as Bharatanatyam, Yakshagana, dance, and school band training (voluntary)

    • The school currently has 169 students, with eight permanent and five guest teachers. Local education officials, including ZP CEO, DDPI, and BEO, assessed the school and recommended it for national recognition.