Mandya: Amid competition from private schools in the education sector, the government schools are much behind in attracting parents. The parents have a prejudiced notion that the government schools are not equipped well, shortage of teachers and even fewer results.
A government primary school in Melukote, the temple town of the district is uniquely attracting students. The government boys Kannada medium primary school offers a silver coin to new students of the first standard. The school has a history of more than a century providing many facilities to students and competing with private schools.
This school provides free books, uniforms, ID cards, belts, and educational tours to 5,6 and 7 standard students. The School Development Monitoring Committee (SDMC) in association with alumni students provided two additional teachers. The school provides a free transport facility to students with help of NRI doctor Rama Krishna, who is alumni of the school. The school also provides free bus passes to students.
In 2013, the school was on verge of closure owing to the number of students decreasing to just 32. Now, the number of students has increased to 112 from 1 to 7 standard Kannada and first to third standard English medium.
SDMC President L. Devaraju said, “We have taken many measures to increase the number of students which worked out. We are appealing to parents to send their children to school for free education.” He said the State Government sanctioned LED panels under the Amrutha Shala project, from this year we would start smart classes and computer classes.
“We have engaged two teachers from outside to take spoken English classes to children, the school is providing quality education with all facilities and is no lower than any private school. Parents can avail this facility and strengthen government institutes without wasting thousands of rupees on donations, fees and other expenditures in private schools,” he added.
