Pics: Umesh Marpalli
Daijiworld Media Network – Udupi (HB)
Udupi, Jan 29: Government Higher Primary School, Kelarkalabettu, Santhekatte was conferred ‘District Environment Friendly School’ award for the year 2017-18 at Atal Bihari Vajpayee auditorium, Rajathadri Manipal, on January 27.
The award presentation ceremony organized by Karnataka State Pollution Control Board in association with the district administration, Legal Services Authority, Public Education Department and Karnataka State Vigyan Parishad.
The school was awarded a trophy and certificate along with Rs 30,000. Headmistress of the school Sabhitha and students received the award.
Inaugurating the award ceremony, T Venkatesh Naik, district chief and session court judge said, “One of the major challenges for the world is environment pollution. Human beings are dumping destructive contents on earth. People are misusing the available resources. We are facing many environmental imbalances like drought, water crisis, global warming and other due to pollution. A strict action should be taken against those who are polluting the environment. The responsibility of protesting the environment is on us.
“Coins are shaped at mints and students’ future is molded in schools. Environment friendly activities will help them to develop concern and love towards environment. Children should understand the pain of their parents. Students should use internet and social media for educational purpose and to acquire information,” he said.
Prof Aravinda Hebbar addressing the gathering said, “Government schools are imparting quality education and are pro-active in extra-curriculum activities than private schools. Every year, the number of enrollment is decreasing in government schools which are a very serious matter.
“Students should express their opinion and also raise doubts at appropriate times. It is necessary in this competitive world,” he said.
As many as 185 schools submitted their report of activities out of total 1000 schools. Ten primary and high schools each were chosen for ‘Green’ and ‘Yellow’ tag. The winner in ‘Green’ tagged schools will get Rs 5000, memento and certificates. The ‘Yellow’ tagged schools will get Rs 4000, memento and certificates.
The award winning school Government Higher Primary School, Kelarkalabettu, Santhekatte received eight national awards for their remarkable activities. As many as 53 students are pursuing education at the school. Three permanent and two guest teachers are rendering their service. The school stands first in all criteria.
The schools were selected on ten parameters like vegetable growing, herbal plantation and backyard garden, mid-day meal and cleanliness, maintenance, wastage management, execution of projects and scientific models, awards, water refueling and rain water harvesting and solar usage, creativity of teachers, student’s participation in school activities and the total performance of the school.
Dr H Lakshmikanth welcomed the gathering.
Dinesh Shettigar, secretary, environment officer, Dinesh Nayak of Sasya Shyamala Vitla, Sheshashayana Karinda, deputy director, Public Education Department, Kiran Kumar, Dinakar Shetty, and Prabhakar Mityanthaya were present.