Convinced that the ‘all-work-no-play’ arduous grind of corporate schools will deprive his son of the joys of childhood, Junior Civil Judge, Tadepalligudem, Shaik Karimullah pulled him out of a corporate institution and enrolled him in a government-run Gurukul school.
Mr. Karimullah has enrolled his son Sk. Abdul Basith in seventh class of Balayogi Gurukulam at Tadepalligudem in West Godavari district, run by Andhra Pradesh Social Welfare Residential Education Institutions’ Society (APSWREIS).
The school authorities see it as a good sign to convince parents that these schools are well equipped and can beat their corporate counterparts in any aspect. “This is the first time that somebody of his stature has enrolled his ward in our school. It will motivate other parents to consider the State-run social welfare schools which now have all facilities,” said Col. V. Ramulu, the Society Secretary.
Infrastructure
Mr. Karimullah, who was invited to the school on two different occasions to be part of legal literacy programmes, was impressed with the infrastructure and the quality of education imparted here.
“I am a product of government schools and colleges. I have observed that in corporate schools, children are put through the grind even after school hours leaving no scope for them to pursue any other interest. I don’t want my child to miss his childhood joys,” said Mr. Karimullah.
He said besides the fact that teachers are recruited through a proper exam in these schools, the quality of teaching here was better than private schools.
“Children in this school speak good English and are engaged in different activities,” said Mr. Karimullah.
The Balayogi gurukulam, a residential school, was started last year after closure of the social welfare hostels. The school has found place in the Telugu Book of Records twice in its year-long existence.
On April 14 last year, 232 students collectively chanted 100 Vemana padyaalu (verses) and students of Classes V, VI and VII created video games using Scratch programming, the two feats that were registered by the records book.
Vemana ‘padyalu’
“I made them memorise Vemana padyalu to help them get used to learning long answers for exams,” said the school Principal B. Raja Rao.
Col. Ramulu pointed out that the society received some 18,000 applications when they were called to fill vacancies in classes VI and IX.
“The response speaks volumes about the standard of our schools,” he said.
