Harsha/Newindpress
Mangalore, Feb 27: Best initiatives by School Development Monitoring Committees (SDMC), complementing effective teaching in government schools in district have been finally recognised.
The first ever best SDMC awards for 2006-07 will be presented to seven SDMCs including Kuvempu Shatamanotsava and Hajabba’s New Padpu SDMCs at a function organised in Zilla Panchayat hall in March, Sarva Shikshana Abhiyana (SSA) Deputy Project Co-ordinator K Lakshman told this website’s newspaper.
Seven committees formed, screened applications and shortlisted three best SDMCs at each block. A district-level five-member committee headed by DKZP Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Kunjappa made personal visits to schools before declaring Uppinangady SDMC as best SDMC in the district.
News on New Padpu and Kuvempu SDMCs being adjudged as the best have warmed the cockles of parents and teachers in respective schools. New Padpu SDMC president Hajabba who ekes a livelihood by selling oranges, picked up for Kannada Prabha’s Person of the Year Award is a familiar face.
Kuvempu Shatamanotsava SDMC president Kanmani is in the same league as Hajabba who ekes a livelihood by splitting logs in Sharavu temple. Kanmani is the `kanmani’ (apple of the eye) of school jokes, Head Master Sreedhar Ullal says. Kanmani takes break from his job only to make three regular visits to the school daily. Recognising needs of the school even before they are revealed by head master, Kanmani makes rounds knocking the doors of donors seeking funds to upgrade the school’s infrastructure.
Many initiatives from Kanmani and the community comprising of cobblers and labourers played a decisive role in helping the school beat competition to bag a recognition, `Kuvempu Shatamanotsava school’, and funds to the tune of Rs 35 lakh.
The funds were utilised to add another floor to the existing building and purchase computers for children. Members Monappa Devadiga, Nagaratna, Rita Lobo, Umesh, Shreedevi, Baby, Narayana, Baby and Raghunath Cava have plans to plough back the cash award of Rs 10,000 for the school.