Parents pool money to renovate block of govt school building

Mangaluru: Dwindling hope over receiving funds from the government prompted the parents of the students of the 72-year-old Madapaddy Government School in Sullia taluk to assume the responsibility of fixing a dilapidated block of the building themselves. Although the government, citing concerns over safety of the children and staff, ordered that one of the three blocks of the school building be razed, the parents, supported by the School Development Monitoring Committee (SDMC) opposed the move. Pointing to the many artefacts housed in the block in question, the parents pushed for turning it into a museum.
Unfortunately, entreaties to the government were of no avail. Determined to preserve the building from demolition, the parents devised a plan to raise money to restore the dilapidated block. The parents chipped in money from their own pockets, and with support from the SDMC members, were able to collect Rs 20,000.
The Dakshina Kannada Zilla Panchayat Primary School, established in 1951, has served as the solitary educational institution in Madapaddy for decades together. Roughly 24km from the taluk headquarters, the institution holds a special place in the hearts of the locals.
The school’s in-charge headmaster Jagadish M said that the villagers were none too pleased when the government announced its decision to do away with one of the three blocks. “The block housed utensils made of wood, mud, copper, agricultural equipment, lanterns, and radios, all dating back many decades. It is a veritable collection of old devices and tools. If demolished, these artefacts would simply have been discarded. To save the block, replete with its valuable paraphernalia, the parents decided to pool in the money to renovate the building,” Jagadish told TOI.
He added that the block would serve as a museum, and not as a collection of classrooms. In addition to a permanent teacher, the 62 students at the school are currently being taught by three guest teachers, and an honorary teacher appointed by the SDMC. Work on the dilapidated block has commenced, with a wooden roof being built atop the structure. Inspired by the parents, local youngsters have come forward to donate WiFi and public announcement systems to the school, Jagadish added.