Ahammed Bava

Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru

Mangaluru, Sep 18: In a remarkable turnaround, a government Urdu school in Mangaluru, which was on the verge of closure, has seen new life under the leadership of a dedicated headmistress. Despite the presence of the education officer’s office within the school premises and promises from ministers, the school was left with only six students and was facing imminent shutdown.

The Urdu language label deterred many parents from enrolling their children, and the school struggled with dwindling numbers. However, when Geetha Judith Saldanha, who was previously a cluster resource person (CRP), took charge as the acting headmistress on September 1, she immediately took action. Within four days, she visited the nearby slum areas and convinced parents, many of whom worked in fish factories, to enrol their children. As a result, the student count rose from a mere six to 52.

This dramatic increase in students has now exposed the school's lack of basic infrastructure and staff. While there were initially three teachers, only two remain. Despite the increase in students, the school still faces challenges with inadequate facilities. Local fish factory owners donated plates and cups for the midday meal programme, while books have been provided for the students. Appeals have been made to the authorities to improve the infrastructure, and they have promised to address the issue soon.

The Bolar Senior Primary West School, established in 1913, once had up to 300 students annually. However, the rise of English-medium schools caused a steady decline in enrolment, turning the once-thriving school into a struggling institution. At the start of the current academic year, only nine students were registered, with five or six attending regularly.

Though the headmistress’s efforts have breathed new life into the school, the challenges remain. Additional teachers, improved facilities, and support from the government and donors are crucial to ensure the school’s continued success.

Ultimately, while many government schools face closure due to a lack of interest from authorities, Bolar government school's revival serves as a hopeful reminder that dedicated individuals can still make a difference. Now, the hope is for sustained government support and assistance from donors to ensure the school’s future development.