Mangalore, Jul 6: "Shalegagi Naavu, Neevu', an educational drive intiated by the Sarva Shiksha Abhiyana and the state education department, was launched across the state on Thursday July 5.

Under this programme, people's representatives, officers, teachers, PTA members and members of voluntary help organizations will visit the school, interact with students and discuss measures to improve facilities in schools and reduce student dropout rate.

In Mangalore

In Bangalore and other districts

In Mangalore, a formal stage programme was held in the Government Higher Primary School, High School and College, Balmatta to mark the occasion. M P Nalin Kumar Kateel was the cheaf guest and the programme was presided over by Thejomaya , member, School Development Board. Moses Jayashekar, Ranganath kini, Tara, Vasudeva and Vinodha were also present on the dais. Teaching and non teaching staff and students were present in large numbers.

The programme was inaugurated by lighting the lamp by Nalin Kumar and the dignitaries.
Adressing the gathering, he congratulated the teachers on their efforts in providing quality education to the students. "The students of this school have been a role model to others," he said.

Giving examples of Abdul Kalam, Deve Gowda, D V Sadananda Gowda and Indra Nooyi who have achieved great heights, he said that nowadays people have bad impression about Kannada medium schools, especially government schools. "People who have stuidied in government schools have also attained success and earned name and fame. Private institutions, more than giving education, have become business centres and are fleecing people like dacoits," he said.

He recalled his school days, wherein he pursued his education in a remote government school for which he had to walk almost three kilometres. "I don't mind speaking in Kannada in the Lok Sabha", he said, adding, "Students studying in private schools are running behind ranks and hence there is an increase in the rate of suicides among them, whereas, a government school imbibes self-confidence among the children."

The digniatries visited primary school class rooms and distributed uniforms. Nalin Kumar Kateel interacted with the students.

Udupi

Inchara-Udupi
Daijiworld Media Network � Udupi (SM/VM)

Udupi, Jul 6: 'Shalegagi Naavu - Neevu' was launched at zilla panchayat higher primary school in Padubidri on Thursday July 5.

The programme was flagged off by Katapady Shakar Poojary, zilla panchayat president.

The programme aims at rejuvenating schools on the verge of closure by providing support from the community, district administration and teachers.

Speaking on the occasion, Poojary said that a sum of Rs 22 crore has been allotted for boosting education in the distrcit. "So far, the government had not granted any funds for raising compound walls for schools, but this year Rs 12 lac has been released," he said.

A S Prabhakar Sharma, CEO of zilla panchayat was the chief guest. He said if officers and teachers perform their duties well, a solution could soon be sought to the problem of dropouts. It is only through collective efforts that one can make this programme a successful one, he added.

Vijaya Laxmi Acharya, Padubidri zilla panchayat president presided over the function.

Geethanjali Suvarna, zilla panchayat member, Bhaskar Padubidri, taluk panchayat member, Sevanthi Sadhashiv, gram panchayat vice-president, Vijay M Amin, Shakar Shetty, Harinakshi, Ravi Shetty, Srinivas Sharma, Ashok Salian, Sitharam, D Pranesh Rao, Vijaykumar Shetty, Thimmappa, Sarojini, Pandu Kotian among others were present.

The programme began with a prayer following a procession by students across Padubidri limits. A discussion was organized between teachers, SDMC members and others officials on the occasion.

Moodbidri

Shekar Ajekar
Daijiworld Media Network�Moodbidri (RD)

Moodbidri, Jul 6: A unique programme was held in schools across Moodbidri block on Thursday July 5, where school dropouts were welcomed back to school with fanfare accompanied with a school band.

MLA K Abhayachandra Jain and block education officer Rajasri paid a visit to Puccha Mogaru Government School, Manjunath Composite High School, Belvai Main School, Nirkere Government Composite High School, Bangabettu Government School, Government Pre-University College, and neighbouring state-run schools.

Jain inaugurated computer facility at Belvai Main School on the occasion.

Town councilor Ratnakar Devadiga, peoples� representatives, and teachers attended this unique programme.

Bantwal

Mounesh Vishwakarma
Daijiworld Media Network - Bantwal (NM)

Bantwal, Jul 6: �Shalegagi Naavu Neevu� programme was launched here on Thursday, July 6.

The representatives of district panchayat, taluk panchayat and gram panchayat, the parents visited the schools that came under their jurisdiction for the purpose of inspection.

The visitors also took the oath that they would build an foster quality education in the schools. In some schools, students took out processions, creating awareness about their rights. Interaction with parents and inspection of schools were part of the programme.

Bantwal MLA B Ramanath Rai took part in the programme held in Brahmarakotlu, Ooli, Nadamogaru, Salethur schools.

Nadumogaru School

With the introduction of free conveyance for travelling to school recently, the Nadumogaru
Higher Primary School added more meaning to the programme. Apart from this, free uniforms were distributed to the students of the school.

On the occasion, as many as 51 plants were symbolically planted by the students. A computer lab too was inaugurated during the programme.

Prior to the inauguration, students took out rally creating awareness on the rights of the children for education.

Block education officer Sudhakar K, Nadumogaru Shivaram Shetty, president of old students seva samithi, taluk panchyath member Sampath Kumar Shetty, School development samithi president Baskar Bangera, Gram Panchyath member Purushotham Poojary, Shivappa Poojary, Youth Assocaiton president Venugopal were others present at the programme.