Thanks to the initiative taken by residents, a government primary school in Onnathalai village near Kotagiri in the Nilgiris, has reopened after 11 years.
The government building in the village has been renovated at the cost of Rs.3lakh, funded by the villagers. Around 30 children from the village have enrolled for the academic year, 2016-2017. The renovated school building was inaugurated on Monday.
The government primary school, started in November 1956, was initially housed in a temporary building in Onnathalai village, 3km away from Kattabettu junction near Kotagiri. "On June3, 1975, the school was shifted to a new building with around 60 students. All was well until 2001," said Bella Gowder, head of the village. At around this time, parents became keen on sending their children to English medium schools. Many, sent their wards to private schools in Kotagiri. As the strength dwindled down to 5 in 2005, the school closed.
Come 2016, villagers realized their wards were not eligible for the welfare measures granted by the government. Moreover, they could not meet the high fee structure in private schools. Parents began pulling their wards out of private schools. "If parents have to shell out huge amounts at the school level, it would be difficult for them to save for college," said Bella Gowder.
Keeping in mind the exorbitant tuition fees charged by private schools, the villagers decided to renovate and reopen the old school. "Every single villager contributed as much as they could to collect a total of Rs3lakh towards revamping the school. Thirty children have enrolled for the academic year 2016-17," added Bella Gowder.
Halbhojan, who studied in the school during the eighties told TOI, "It was so disheartening when the school was shut due to lack of strength in 2005. I am glad that the school has reopened. I have admitted my daughter in it".
While the education department would depute two teachers from the nearby government schools, the villagers have decided to appoint two teachers under the self-finance scheme.
T. Ganeshamurthy, CEO, who inaugurated the school building said, "The primary school will be able to avail all the welfare measures it is eligible for".
The government building in the village has been renovated at the cost of Rs.3lakh, funded by the villagers. Around 30 children from the village have enrolled for the academic year, 2016-2017. The renovated school building was inaugurated on Monday.
The government primary school, started in November 1956, was initially housed in a temporary building in Onnathalai village, 3km away from Kattabettu junction near Kotagiri. "On June3, 1975, the school was shifted to a new building with around 60 students. All was well until 2001," said Bella Gowder, head of the village. At around this time, parents became keen on sending their children to English medium schools. Many, sent their wards to private schools in Kotagiri. As the strength dwindled down to 5 in 2005, the school closed.
Come 2016, villagers realized their wards were not eligible for the welfare measures granted by the government. Moreover, they could not meet the high fee structure in private schools. Parents began pulling their wards out of private schools. "If parents have to shell out huge amounts at the school level, it would be difficult for them to save for college," said Bella Gowder.
Keeping in mind the exorbitant tuition fees charged by private schools, the villagers decided to renovate and reopen the old school. "Every single villager contributed as much as they could to collect a total of Rs3lakh towards revamping the school. Thirty children have enrolled for the academic year 2016-17," added Bella Gowder.
Halbhojan, who studied in the school during the eighties told TOI, "It was so disheartening when the school was shut due to lack of strength in 2005. I am glad that the school has reopened. I have admitted my daughter in it".
While the education department would depute two teachers from the nearby government schools, the villagers have decided to appoint two teachers under the self-finance scheme.
T. Ganeshamurthy, CEO, who inaugurated the school building said, "The primary school will be able to avail all the welfare measures it is eligible for".