Thousands of new schools crop up across the State every year, but only 2,298 schools in Karnataka have achieved the rare distinction of providing education to children for over a century. A list compiled by the Department of Public Instruction shows that the highest number of century-old schools is in Vijayapura at 222. At the other end of the spectrum, Bidar and Koppal has just two such schools each.
Interestingly, a majority of the century-old government schools are in North Karnataka region, while Old Mysuru region has far fewer such schools.
Most of these schools were constructed by the British government, missionaries or with grants from kings. Some were subsequently taken over by the government.
Commissioner for Public Instruction Mohammad Mohsin said while a large number of these schools continue to run in the old structures, there are also schools that were started a century ago but have moved into new buildings or have undergone renovation.
However, many of the heads of these schools are not aware of who started the institutions, why or their famous alumni. The department now wants to document the history of these schools.
Besides, it also plans to give these structures and schools a facelift. “Just giving them a coat of paint will not help. We need to get in touch with specialists to ensure that they get a proper facelift,” Mr. Mohsin said. This could well succeed if the effort being undertaken by teachers at south Bengaluru is Basavanagudi Government Kannada Boys’ Higher Primary School is an example.
