Drivers, villagers support rural govt school in Gadag

Gadag: It was about a year ago that a group of truck, taxi and tanker drivers united to help the government higher primary school in Narayanpur village, Gadag district. They floated a forum called Rajaratna Sangha and presented two android TV sets on Monday to the school to facilitate students.
Kallayya Hiremath, a lorry driver and president of the forum told TOI that a drivers’ association used to help the school. “Some villagers wished to join forces and formed Rajaratna Sangha a year ago. Currently, we have 12 members. We will set aside Rs 500 per month from our earnings for the school's improvement. For school projects, we do not wait for government funds. This year, we raised Rs 22,000. We approached the school teachers and asked what they needed for students. When they suggested digital TV sets, we searched and bought them at wholesale prices in Bengaluru," he explained.
He asserted that the forum will provide the learning material required by teachers every year.
VV Naduvinamani, Block Education Officer, Ron, received TV sets on behalf of the education department. He said it is a rare phenomenon that villagers have established a forum to help a government school.
Imamsab Huilgol, Gadaginmath, Kiran Hanchinal, and other members reported that the Sangha had strict bylaws. "We should deposit Rs 500 each month for the Sangha, and we won't use it for anything else. We regret that we could not get government work or a better job. Now, we want to ensure our children receive the finest education possible. We contribute to the Sangha whenever we have occasions like children’s birthdays etc.” they added.
Rajesab Nadaf, chairman, school development and monitoring committee, and SK Hottin, school headmistress, stated that seeing this initiative, many parents are coming forward to help the school. “Apart from smart TVs, we provided 4 blackboards and a washbasin. They sponsored meals and transportation facilities for children during Pratibha Karanji and sporting events.
The school was in the news for introducing the water bell in 2019, and it was the first of its kind in the state.