The Hindu : Karnataka / Bangalore News : Support of alumni sought to improve government schools

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Sunday, Aug 31, 2008
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Karnataka

Karnataka - Bangalore

Support of alumni sought to improve government schools

Bageshree S.

Circulars sent to schools to identify donors

Bangalore: The Education Department is seeking help from eminent former students of government schools to ensure that their alma mater is well-equipped and has the infrastructure to provide quality education.

The Department of Public Instruction issued circulars to all government schools on August 26 on extension of the school adoption programme and going about it in a systematic way.

Data bank

“As a first step, we have asked the schools to identify 10 to 15 alumni of their schools and prepare a data bank. Then, they can appeal to them for help in improving the school,” said Commissioner for Public Instruction G. Kumar Naik.

The circular says that that “many people who have studied in government schools and gone on to occupy positions of importance in society feel a sense of gratitude for the teachers and schools that shaped them.”

It says that they have an “urge to express their gratitude and the Government should create an opportunity for this”. It adds that non-resident Indians and philanthropic associations can also be part of the initiative.

The circular has listed out as many as 21 areas in which donors can pitch in.

They range from renovation of school buildings and providing computers and laboratory to organising cultural festivals and educational tours.

Training

The donors can also opt to fund teacher training programmes or take up improvement of slums around government schools.

Those who donate generously to school improvement can also hope to have their names etched on school buildings.

The circular states that the school building will be named after any donor who pays more than one-third the cost of the building or donates a site.

Five-year agreement

The circular says that a donor will have to choose a specific task and come up with an action plan that he will be part of in a sustained manner for five years.

He or she will have to enter into a memorandum of understanding on this.

A nodal officer will be named in each district to coordinate the activities undertaken by donors in that region.

The circular states that the donor “cannot take back anything once donated” and that he “will not be allowed to use the school premises for any non-academic activity.”

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