A drive titled ‘Mission 100’ has been launched to help slow-learning students pass their SSLC examination in Karkala Education Block of Udupi district.
This initiative, a brainchild of G.S. Shashidhara, Karkala Block Education Officer, aims to encourage and help slow-learning students get pass marks in the exam. Mr. Shashidhara had, when he was BEO of Puttur in Dakshina Kannada, successfully implemented a similar scheme, ‘Mission 95 Plus’, which was lauded at the national level. Mr. Shashidhara was transferred to Karkala six months ago.
There are 56 high schools in Karkala block — 28 government high schools, 13 aided high schools, and 15 unaided high schools. There are 2,657 students in class 10 in these schools, which the drive intends to cover.
Under this drive, the teachers go in teams to the houses of students every morning and counsel both the students and their parents. They also visit students who stay in hostels.
“We want all students who appear for the SSLC exams to pass. We are focussing on slow-learning students and want them get a minimum of 35 to 40 marks in all subjects,” Mr. Shashidhara said.
How it is done
The team includes headmasters, teachers, assistant teachers and the BEO. Even elected representatives have been involved in this scheme. Karkala Block has been divided into four zones for this purpose. The local team visits at least two houses in a week. Since June, the teams have visited 45 houses under the drive. “For us, it is not just 2,657 students, but 2,657 dreams. We see if the students are facing any problems and come up with solutions for them,” Mr. Shashidhara said.
Some students who score below the pass mark want to become electricians, mechanics, or tailors; some want to join the army. They don’t get encouragement in their homes in rural areas as their parents are poor, he said. “We also plan to admit such students for training in the Rural Development and Self Employment Training Institute or at the C.E. Kamath Institute for Artisans in Miyar,” said Mr. Shashidhara.
