Teacher takes the lead, implements RWH in school

Mangaluru: Jayakrishnan A, an economics teacher at Shree Vidya Vardhaka Higher Secondary School, Meeyapadavu, in Manjeshwar, Kasaragod district, is credited with launching the school’s eco-club. Recently, he introduced terrace rainwater harvesting (RWH) in the school and spent around Rs 26,000 on this project, that includes filter, tank and pipes.
Ramesh K N, principal in-charge said RWH is part of the syllabus for class 11 students in Kerala. As head of the school’s eco-club, he decided to implement RWH, so that students understand its importance and practice it at their homes. “Water from the first floor of the school’s terrace is collected in a tank and then channelised to the ground floor. A filter is installed, and water is supplied through pipes. During the monsoon, students use the filtered rainwater for washing and in toilets. The initiative is crucial in the wake of climate change,” Ramesh told TOI.
The initiative launched last week, is expected to be formally inaugurated next week. The school is located about 31kilometres from the city, bordering Dakshina Kannada district. Nearly 800 students are enrolled from class 8 to 12. The high school also has Kannada-medium sections.
Dr Jayaprakash Narayana, director of the school, said, “The school has three buildings and very soon RWH will be extended to the rest.” “We stress on green measures. The computer lab of the school works on solar energy. Very soon, a tree plantation drive will be taken up and nearly 60 saplings of local varieties of fruits, especially jackfruit will be planted,” he said.
Jackfruit festival
In an attempt to spread awareness on the health benefits of jackfruit and to educate students, the school conducted a jackfruit festival recently, that Be Si Gopalakrishna Bhat, retired principal, Paivalike Government School, inaugurated. He said the nation may witness food wars in the future due to climate change and reduction in wheat and corn yields. Dr Narayana explained about the nutritional aspects of jackfruit on the occasion. Students presented varieties of food items prepared from jackfruit, including payasam, ice cream, dosa, cutlet, sandwich, halwa, jackfruit manchurian, and vada.