Mohan Kuthar
Daijiworld Media Network – Mangaluru
Mangaluru, Jun 11: The family of a former headmaster and school management committee member has reportedly erected a fence around the premises of a 91-year-old government-aided school in Madakatte, allegedly disrupting the education of underprivileged students. The school management has expressed anger at the inaction of the education authorities and relevant departments despite the students facing difficulties even to access toilets.
The assistant commissioner had earlier ordered the reservation of 0.46 acres in Survey No. 343/2B and 0.62 acres in Survey No. 343/2A in Kolnadu village for the playground of Madakatte Aided Higher Primary School, Barebettu. These details were also recorded in the pahani documents. However, a portion of the land housing the school's toilet, which has been functioning for 91 years, was recently fenced off by the very family that originally donated the land for the school’s establishment.
Over the years, several development works such as an open-air stage, electricity facility, and drainage system were completed with donor contributions, particularly during the school’s golden jubilee. These works were carried out with the assurance that they would not hinder the education of local children. Though student numbers declined slightly during the COVID-19 pandemic, the management decided to introduce government English-medium classes to revive interest. The donor family opposed this proposal.
When the school attempted to reconstruct a damaged toilet building on government land adjacent to the school, objections began to intensify. The donor family started sending repeated legal notices and complaints against the school management and local supporters. Following a petition from the school management and local elders, the Assistant Commissioner issued an order to reserve 0.62 and 0.46 acres of government land for school-related activities under the name of the Block Education Officer, Bantwal. This was also recorded in the pahani.
Despite this, the family of the former headmaster reportedly fenced off the only path leading to the school’s toilet at night. Allegedly, they also circulated messages on social media urging parents not to send their children to the school, claiming it had become an unsafe environment. The school management has condemned these actions and warned that if legal redress is not provided, villagers and parents may be forced to stage a major protest.
The school, located in Madakatte of Kolnadu village in Bantwal taluk, was established in 1933 with the support of the late Madakatte Krishna Bhat and local residents. Initially accommodating just 12 students from classes 1 to 3, it later expanded to serve students from surrounding villages such as Kallamajalu Serkala, Thodla, Kulyaru, Devasya, Panjigadde, Barebettu, Mundattaje, and Padaru.
Recognising the region’s growing educational needs, the institution was upgraded to a full-fledged higher primary school in 1978 and began offering classes 1 to 7. With increasing enrollment, a new school building was constructed with the support of philanthropists from both near and far. However, in recent years, student strength has declined from over 300. Today, the school has 53 students and six teachers — only one of whom is government-appointed. The rest are funded by local donors. All classes are conducted in a single building, and plans to build a new facility have faced opposition from the landowners.
School and community leaders react
Shankar Narayan Bhat, secretary of the school management committee and a retired headmaster, said, “For the sake of the children’s education, the school must be protected. If people are playing politics in the name of education, it is deeply regrettable. Retired headmasters and their families should support education, not block access to it.”
Srikant Padaru, president of the school management committee, said, “For 91 years, this school has functioned with community support, including that of the retired headmaster and his family. It was only recently we realised the land is not officially in the school’s name. Until then, we believed it was. The villagers were misled, and the incident has caused distress. We now seek everyone’s support in our legitimate struggle.”
Balakrishna Adyantaya, member of the school development committee, said, “Legal notices are being unfairly sent to our committee members. We are fighting justly for children’s education. Poor families cannot afford English-medium schools, which is why we tried to introduce English-medium here. But opposition from within has made it harder. By fencing the school, innocent students’ futures are being played with. The authorities must act immediately.”
Nazeer Kare, member of the school development committee, said, “Many of our students have grown up to become respected lawyers, doctors, and entrepreneurs. This school is a beacon of hope. Those who taught them should not now become barriers. Even now, we are willing to appeal to them humbly, but if we don’t receive justice, we will have no choice but to launch a strong protest.”
Naufal K B S, secretary of the alumni association, added, “The alumni stand united in support of the school. It is unfortunate that legal battles are obstructing the education of underprivileged children. Departments must intervene legally to prevent further disruption. If they fail, we will be compelled to take the matter to the streets.”