Karnataka - Shimoga   

Government plans to start model schools

Shimoga: The people's representatives of Malnad have urged the government to evolve a different system of schooling for the region which has unique demographic and climatic conditions, by arranging transportation for students free of cost to reach government schools.

Proposal

A proposal has been sent to the government to close down 22 schools in Tirthahalli and Hosanagar taluks of the district, because of poor admissions. Shimoga Zilla Panchayat and Tirthahalli Taluk Panchayat had passed a resolution in 2010 to close down the lower primary schools, the strength of which was below 10. It was planned to accommodate these children in the nearby schools.

The Department of Public Instruction has identified 13 lower primary schools with a strength of less than 10 students in Tirthahalli taluk and nine schools in Hosanagar taluk and has recommended their closure.

Deputy Director of Public Instruction G.S. Paramashivappa told The Hindu that it had been planned to develop an existing government school in Tirthahalli and Hosanagar taluk each, as a model school to accommodate students from the institutions that would be closed. Transportation would be arranged for tudents to ply from their home to the model school and hostel facility would be provided on demand. If need arises, funds available under schemes such as Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan would be used to build additional classrooms and upgrade infrastructure at the model schools, he said.

It is generally the poor who get their children admitted to hostels managed by the Department of Social Welfare. Children in Malnad are at a disadvantage because the schools are far away from their house. Most parts of Malnad become inaccessible during monsoon. Last year, two children who were crossing a “kalusanka”, a bridge made from firewood to attend the school, were washed away by the swirling waters of the Sharavathi near Hirejeni village.

Tirthahalli MLA Kimmane Rathnakar told The Hindu that there was a need to evolve a different schooling system for Malnad.

The money required for the maintenance of schools with less strength and payment for additional teaching staff serving there could be used to arrange transportation for the students from remote villages in Malnad to reach the model school, he said.

Mr. Rathnakar said Tirthahalli and Hosanagar taluks could be considered “pilot zone” for the project and based on results, the project could be extended to other parts of the State. By upgrading the infrastructure and arranging for transportation facilities, government schools could become centres of learning with competitive and vibrant ambiance, he said.

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