Kundapur: Innovative govt school at Hesakuttur among best in state

Silvester D’ Souza
Daijiworld Media Network – Udupi (EP)

Kundapur, Nov 24: It is difficult to believe that this is a government school. It works on quality and performance oriented teaching with public participation along with the government. The all round functioning of the school is superior to that of a private school. The school is the government higher primary school functioning under Kalavara gram panchayat at Hesakuttur.

In a survey conducted by Karnataka state school quality and acceptance council, the school has secured first place in Udupi and fourth place in the state. As many as 1020 government primary and high schools were subjected to a survey to identify the quality of education in the academic year. Only five schools attained A grade. The body took into consideration the progress of the school, number of children, factors that influence studies, involvement of the public etc. The school has drawn attention due to new experiments and unique methods of teaching and has secured the award for them.

The school is a household name even in the remote areas of Kundapur. Though the number of children has decreased in government schools, it has not decreased here. The school which had started as junior primary school on October 14, 1953 got upgraded as higher primary school in 1997-98. As many as 131 students are studying here at present.

A handmade magazine by the name Inchara was started here in 2010 in order to increase children’s interest in literature and encourage their talent. It is a first magazine released by a school in Udupi district. The magazine consists of school children’s writings, drawings, math quiz, articles about the school, teacher’s articles on various programmes of the government and parent’s articles. The magazines get cyclostyled and get distributed to houses. Different people sponsor the cost every month. Several schools have started such magazines taking inspiration from this school.

Supplements get distributed along with the magazine. Nalikali Chilipili from 1st and 2nd standard, Chittara from 3rd standard, Chinnaraloka from 4th standard, Balara Prapancha from 5th standard, Malehani from 6th standard and Namma Shale from 7th standard are organized by the children themselves. They write what comes to their mind and present to the readers. The expertise among the children has been the benchmark for their literature in 2012. The children around five schools nearby have shown their expertise in the Inchara literature festival in 2012.

Edusat arrangement

The children are provided with satellite based education here. The readymade lessons are taught through technology in their natural form. The ground of the rooms is attractive. Children above 5th standard make use of it during two intervals in the afternoon.
 

Classwise library

There are small libraries in each class to encourage children’s reading habits. Children are able to pick books according to their curiosity. Drawings by children and their writings, articles useful for studies and activities are made available in the classes.
 

Computer studies

Every child is taught English from first standard as per government syllabus. Computer education also is given importance in the school. There is a separate computer room. Basic computer knowledge is taught there.

 
Different seating arrangement

Most schools have benches one behind the other. The arrangement here is different. They are arranged in three directions and the teacher stands in the middle. Both boys and girls are made to sit together. The children are able to see each other’s faces and the teacher is able to see them from close quarters. The walls are painted with attractive colors.

Participation of donors

The school is a public property. The school has taken the support of well wishers in education in order to make them participate in school activities along with government. The donors have spent for loud speaker, library, furniture, toilet, TV, DVD, main door, edusat, computer, umbrellas every year, Aqua guard, uniform etc.
 

A file for each child

Separate files are maintained for children. Details such as progress report and health card are kept there. The file remains with the child when the child goes to higher classes. Though it is a part of government’s order it is fully implemented here. Children get interested and attracted towards the school with it.
 

Democratic election

The children elect their leader by conducting elections in a democratic manner. They get acquainted with ballot paper, nomination, publicity and elections. They are taught about parliament, zero hour, well of the house etc
 

Teachers who experiment

The school has become unique due to its teachers and school development committee. The school is identified as one of the model schools in the district with education officer’s guidance and the cooperation of the donors. A German teacher named Yuronika Kareem has taught here last year. Headmaster Shekar Kumar, teachers Jayalaxmi, Jayarama Shetty, Vijaya R, Ashok Thekkatte and Vijaya Shetty are serving here. Nagashree Kedlaya is serving as SDMC president here.
 
The school has Seva dal, Meena group and school parliament. Hygiene is maintained in Bisiyoota. The cooking staffs are wearing cap, apron and glouse while cooking.
 
The school has grown as an invaluable asset in the gram. The activity based teaching and friendly teachers draw attention. The school needs an indoor hall. The compound wall should be completed and the ground should be leveled.

Public participation, the teacher’s far sightedness and children’s positive response is the reason for the development. It is a hope for those government schools which lament lack of children.
 

Classroom for each subject

The school has subject-wise classes, the first of its kind in the district. There are separate class rooms for English, Maths, science etc. The lessons related to English language are taught in English room. The arrangement is such that the standard of education becomes complete and the mind gets accustomed to the subject. Isolation goes away and an enthusiasm sets in. It is said that such experiment is not done anywhere else in the district.