News & Pics: Mounesh Vishwakarma
Daijiworld Media Network – Bantwal (RD/SB)
 
Bantwal, Jun 1: The state administration has been introducing significant programmes since the past many years, in order to transform the existing schools into quality educational centres. 

Accordingly, the education department has announced the academic year 2010 – 11 as a year of improving the standards with due emphasis on ‘Clear reading – good handwriting.’  Although it has given wide publicity for transforming the schools into quality focused study centers, its negligence in a few aspects threatens its very purpose instead borders on negative aspects. 

The state which had taken key steps in introducing quality education, began ‘Nali – Kali’ a new concept to promote study with fun, in order to make study interesting to students of Class I and II, since the academic year 2008 – 09.  The state education minister had also announced that ‘Nali – Kali’ will be introduced to the students of Class III with effect from the academic year 2010 – 11. 

However, both the state and officers have failed to take a clear stance on introducing ‘Nali – Kali’ in Class III from academic year 2010 – 11.  Owing to this, the taluk education officers, teachers, students and their parents are in utter chaos. Despite the state has provided text books (except a few subjects), the text books for Class III has not provided due to the confusion over introducing ‘Nali – Kali.’
 
When Daijiworld reporter enquired with a senior education officer, he said; "we have no information whether Nali – Kali will be introduced in Class III in this academic year.  There lies chaos among us.  Meanwhile, we had to follow – Setu Bandha programme till end of June.  By that time, things would be clear," said the education officer.
 
As per the schedule announced by the state, the school authorities has to follow the enrolment of students, conduct Setu – Bandha programme, to convene meetings of school development managing committees, prepare project report, observe World Environment Day, to organize school-level sports meet, chalk out slogans for each month etc.  Under Setu – Bandha programme, assessing the study capabilities of each student, evaluating the study capability of students for each subject, methods to improve the results, tests and follow-ups to improve grades, etc. ought to made. 
 
Meanwhile, Dakshina Kannada district and Bantwal taluk education officers were of the opinion that Setu – Bandha programme will be held beginning from May 31 to June 25; by the time the state will clear the confusion over beginning Nali – Kali programme. 
 
The gram panchayat elections across Karnataka and census would have affected the working of education department; since the services of teachers were widely utilized for this purpose.  However, the state has been citing excuses for lapses in education every year, despite it takes quick decisions on capitalistic projects and mega industries; but why the state does not take early decision on education of primary students is a million dollar question.
 
Despite, Nali – Kali programme was criticized by many, in the early stages of implementation during last academic year; it improved gradually when even private schools also showed earnest interest in introducing the same at par of government schools. The delay by state education department has caused chaos among the educationists as the benefit of latest educational programme is in quandary.
 
The state education minister might issue a circular to each schools, in order to announce that Nali – Kali programme will be introduced in Class III shortly. Meanwhile, to arrange the text books and teaching aids, training to school teachers, arrange the classrooms seems to be a major issue that got to be addressed at the earliest.