Pics: Umesh Marpalli
Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi (HB)
Udupi, Jun 22: As a boost to government schools and to increase the enrollment numbers in the schools, the chairperson of State Women and Child Protection Commission Kripa Alwa addressed the gathering at the ‘Government School Enhancement programme’ at Dr V S Acharya meeting hall, Rajathadri Manipal here, on Wednesday, June 21.
The programme was jointly organized by Karnataka State Children Rights Commission, Women and Child Welfare Department, and the Public Education Department here.
Kripa said, "In the last year, the department has noted 60,000 dropouts including children not going to school in the state. To decrease the number of students, the department has planned to strengthen the schools by renaming them ‘Government school enhancement programme’."
"Every day, we receive 10-20 cases from the parents, stating that there is discrimination between private and government schools in terms of fee structure and facilities provided. If a child is not getting education, that is considered to be ‘Children rights violation’."
"There are 240 lower primary schools and 362 higher primary schools and in total, there are 606 government schools in the Udupi district," informed DDPI Diwakar Shetty.
Infrastructure
DDPI Diwakar Shetty said, "There are 100% functioning toilets in the schools and the government will rectify de-funct toilets in school too. Only few schools have water purification system. 33% of schools have partial compound wall. Nearly 600 fans are there, but the schools require total 3129 fans, in all.
"Desks and benches are sufficient said DDPI. Under Nali-Kali scheme, schools require 3025 tables, which is five each per class. In the previous year, the SC/ST students did not get notebooks," he continued.
DC Priyanka Francis said, "As many as 860 Anganwadis and 290 schools have kitchen garden, formed under NAREGA. Kitchen compost system has been applied in all anganwadis.
"RTC of Anganwady and the schools is always the first agenda in the KDP meeting," the DC added.
Hearing after the figures, Kripa instructed the officials, to complete work in three months. "Every school should have a garden whether it is flower or vegetable, to provide knowledge about environment to students. "
"Painting on school wall has an effect on children’s mind set. The management can use Bala Snaehi fund for painting purpose," Kripa said.
Kripa reviewed all the developments of Government schools. "There is a myth in the public mind that, ‘Kannada Medium Schools’ students are not good at English, but it is wrong. There is lack of infrastructure. A government school must have an English teacher, music and craft teacher. If a child gets education till SSLC, the nation can develop without any hindrance. Child marriage, child labour is still in practice. The number of females per male is decreasing every year because of female foeticide. This needs to be controlled."
"There is a shortage of staff, but we need to think of an alternative for that. If there is fund shortage in school, the management may tap into CSR companies to sponsor or funding. Many companies have desire to invest in government schools but they need a forum. They can also approach private businessmen, donors, Rotary, Lions Clubs, fish mills and many others," Kripa added.
"Every school should form an old students’ union in one month's time. Once a union is formed, the school will undoubtedly develop. Teachers must also put some extra time for development of school, which can create wonders", instructed Kripa Alwa.
DC Priyanka Francis Udupi, Vanitha Thorvi, member of Child Rights Commission, Gracy Gonsalves, deputy director, WEWD Udupi were present.