This govt school reopens with unique initiative

Mangaluru: Every academic year, the Government Higher Primary School at Punchappady in Savanur gram panchayat in Kadaba taluk reopens in a unique way. This year it started with the ‘kalika hundi’ activity, where anyone, including children, can drop cash or stationery items.
It will be held throughout the year. Last year, it organised Kalika Cheela Hanchona. In 2021-22, it was pustaka jolige, where children and villagers donated books to the school library.
Rashmitha N, in-charge headmistress of the school, said that this year the concept implemented was ‘Kalika Hundi’. “Just like any place of worship that has a kanike hundi (donation box), we replaced it with a kalika hundi, or learning box. It was placed in a corner of the school on the day of reopening, where parents, villagers, SDMC members, and children offer their donations. So far, we have received Rs 7,000 and a lot of stationery items like notebooks, pens and pencils. We will use money for recruiting an honorary teacher, whereas stationery will be given to children. The box will be placed throughout the academic year at the school,” said Rashmitha.
In the earlier academic years, there were other unique initiatives. Rashmitha said in 2022-23, kalika cheela hanchona was held. The locals, parents, and other well-wishers of the school had donated stationery kits to the children. Pustaka Jolige was held in 2021-2022, where children, villagers, and others donated books to the school library. The value of the books is around Rs 30,000. No initiative was taken in 2020–21 due to the pandemic.
In 2018-19, Kalika Mantappa was held, where children planted saplings. Before that, there was Akshara Ratha, where children were taken to school in a chariot-like vehicle from their houses. Another initiative was kalika chappara. “All our initiatives focused on children and their betterment. It is being responded to well, only because of the wholehearted support of villagers. They are the pillars of strength of our school,” said Rashmitha.
The 96-year-old school has 60 students studying from classes I to VII. It has three permanent teachers. Apart from it, the school organises a summer camp every year between April 1 to April 10.