Karnataka: Dakshina Kannada govt school has wait list for Class 1

MANGALURU: With four months to go for the 2020-21 academic year, a school in Bantwal has already received more than 100 applications for Class 1. Such is the demand that some parents are pushing teachers to put a word in, others are tapping contacts in the management, some are even flashing recommendation letters from the local MLA. The name of the much sought-after institution: Daddalkad Upgraded Government School.
Five years ago, the school was on the verge of closure as it had just 33 students altogether from Classes 1 to 7. The Sri Durga Club in Bantwal, led by activist Prakash Anchan, stepped in with a massive fund mobilisation drive. Anchan, who heads Sarkari Shaale Ulisi Belesi, a campaign to protect and promote government schools, said plenty of philanthropists and "education lovers" pitched in and raised a whopping Rs 4 crore.
Today, the school in a remote part of Dakshina Kannada has 800-plus students from LKG to Class 8 and has received a nod from the government to commence Class 9 from next year. From Kannada-medium, now, English is taught alongside in all classes.
"The admission process began in February and the seats for Class 1 are already full. We have received 111 applications," said headmaster Maurice D'Souza. "Last year, Class 1 had 108 children though the government's intake limit is 30." Currently, the school operates out of 20 classrooms; 14 more are being added and a hall is also under construction.
"The demand is such that we have stopped accepting admission requests for the time being," said Anchan. "We have requested the government to give permission to accommodate more students. Most of the applicants come from an 8-to-9-km radius. There is immense pressure on the teachers and management to take in more students."
Anchan recounts it was an uphill task five years ago as they fought to prevent closure of the school. "The club adopted the school and we mobilised funds through donors. We have spent around Rs 4 crore so far, all received in donations in the form of cash, cement, steel, construction material, furniture and computers. Not a single rupee has come from the government," he said. "The government has improved infrastructure and offers free education with modern learning facilities. We charge a minimal fee only for transportation." The school has four buses and will get another soon.