Silvester D’ Souza
Daijiworld Media Network – Kundapur (EP)
Kundapur, Jun 29: While several government schools are shutting down in Udupi district due to lack of students, one can take lessons from Bidkalkatte government higher primary school.
Every year admissions in this school increase and this year a record has been created with 159 new admissions. This school is one among the 1000 schools selected to become a Karnataka Public School, where government has approved English medium of instruction from standard I.
However, the increase in the number of students can be credited to the high quality of education and student friendly programmes.
The number of students which was 119 in 2016-17 reached 175 in 2018-19. It has gone up to 301 with new admissions of 159 in the current academic year. The school has become a model by the collective efforts of alumni association, enthusiastic SDMC and service oriented teachers.
Nalikali is a system of learning that is prevalent only in government schools. It promotes self-learning, speedy learning and joyful learning. The school has special provision for English teaching for first standard students. Free English medium education is also being provided for 6th and 7th standard students since the last four years through the initiative of old student’s association and with government department’s approval.
Activity based education by expert teachers, special teaching for students who find academics challenging, laptop, projector and CDs, reading room, Kelikali, Chinnara Chukki, film show during prayers, laboratory experiments, introduction of books, news reading, proverbs, quiz, hand writing display and several other programmes are being used while teaching.
Different resource persons are being invited and their achievements and skills are made known to the children. Eco club, science club, customer club, meena club, student parliament, literature association and other pro-curriculum activities are provided.
LKG and UKG rooms are made attractive and child friendly. Pictures are drawn by artistes on the walls instead of poster pictures. Pictures are drawn as per English alphabets.
Children from distant places such as Goliangadi, Haladi, Balkur, Salwady, Kesanamakki, Japthi, Molahalli, Kakkunje, Korgi, Shankernarayana, Halladi, Shiriyara and other places are coming to this school. As many as 30 children from private schools have voluntarily joined this government school this year. Children have also joined for standard 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 for English medium. Several parents who have been reserving seats for children in English medium schools have started reserving seats here.
The work by alumni association under the leadership of civil engineer Prashanth and alumni association and parent’s representative Shantaram is commendable. Headmaster Ragarathna, physical education teacher Udaya Kumar Shetty, assistant teacher Sathish Shettigar, Chitra Kumari, Ramani, Jyothi Laxmi, Shamala, Purushotham, Avakash foundation teacher Pavitra Hegde, honorary teacher Bharathi, pre-primary division teacher Saumya, Deepika and Veena are serving here.
Molahalli Dinesh Hegde has been providing note books to all the students during the last ten years under the leadership of Molahalli late Jayarama Hegde Charitable Trust. The school has achieved all round progress due to constant interaction with parents and bringing to their notice the educational activities in the school.
Monthly coordination meeting with parents
The school began monthly meeting with parents since 2017-18 in order to inform them the progress of their children. It is praised by parents and the society alike.
The school has started a monthly school magazine since January 2017. School teacher Sathish Shettigar is its editor. It is meant to encourage learning and literature. A programme is being held every month and well-known persons in the society are invited as guests. Children have an opportunity to learn from the experiences of these achievers.