Mangalore: An ISO 9001:2008 Recognised School Strives to Make a Difference

Brijesh Garodi
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangalore

Mangalore, Apr 8: The Amrutheshwara Higher Primary School run by the Jaanu Shetty Memorial Educational & Charitable Trust was established by Seetharam Jaanu Shetty, a Mumbai-based businessman by profession. The school is named after his father Jaanu Shetty.

Seetharam hailing from a financially backward class society did his schooling in Mangalore and later went to Mumbai. He then worked as well as studied there, passing BA, LLB and management courses. He worked for Vijaya Bank and stepped to the field of business by opening up his own hotel named Sri Durga snacks in Thane, Mumbai. He empathised with the poor and the needy, which in turnled him to open up this institute.

The school was started on May 27, 1999, with a strength of 42 students in the first standard, in the premises of Sri Amrutheshwara Temple, Vamanjoor. In 2000 the school got its own building near the temple itself and a first floor in 2006. Now  the school has extended from kindergarten to 7th standard with a student strength of 311 and 10 teaching and non-teaching staff. The school offers uniform, school bags, stationery items, Bharatanatyam and Yakshagana classes, cycling, and is equipped with a science lab, library and computer class.

True, almost every school will have these facilities, but the special and intresting fact to be recognized here is that everything given here is free of cost. Not a single rupee is collected from the students for any cause. School day and sports day are celebrated in this school like in other schools, but parents are also allowed to take part in these events which gives makes it special. Students are compulsorily made to visit the nearby Amrutheshwara temple every morning before the class begins. Shlokas, Ramaraksha strotras, bhajans etc are also taught daily.

Cultural activities are also given high preference. Every year on the feast of the temple, the students present a day-long cultural programme, which includes Bharatanayam  and a Yakshagana play. As part of their daily schedule, assembly session is organized in the school premises daily, which includes thought for the day, news reading and prayer. Independence Day, school annual day, sports day and Sharadha puja is celebrated here in a grand manner.

Students with total marks above 85 % are encouraged with cash prizes. Amrutha Vahini, the school magazine published annually comprising poems, stories, drawings, articles etc written by the students. Free food is served every Monday and Thursday and the same will be made available daily from the coming academic year. The parents come on rotation basis and serve food to the children.

Despite such facilities, the one thing lacking is the support from the Government. Not even a single rupee is funded by the Government to this school. The only response by the Government officials while contacted by the school management is that an organization, in order the get Government facility, has to have a minimum existence of 15 years, and this school is 13 years old.

But the important fact is that this school meets all the required criteria and standards and is recognised and approved as an ISO 9001:2008 Certified organization. The school has set a new milestone and with this national recognition. This organization is inspected every 6 months by the ISO officials.

Hats off to this real life hero Seethram Jaanu Shetty, the founder and president of this organization for his efforts in bringing about a postive change in society through education. He is ably supported by Vidhya, principal of the school and Jayaram Jaanu Shetty, treasurer of the Trust.

Contact:

Sitaram Shetty ( founder) - 09819587587
Jayaram Shetty (treasurer) - 8123461947
Vidhya (principal) - 9902196096