A government higher primary school near Mysore has become a model for other schools, including private ones.
Considering the development achieved by this school located in Chikkegowdanakoppal village at Yelwal, about 12 km from Mysore, the State government is presenting a State-level award to its headmaster M.P. Rangaswamy, who played an important role in bringing a recognisable development, during the Teachers’ Day ceremony here on Friday. The school conserves rainwater and grows vegetables for the midday meal programme. It also shares surplus veggies to nearby schools free of cost.
This school was adjudged the Best School in 2012-13 and a team from DSERT and DIET visited the school to examine the development. The Department of Public Instruction recently asked the school administrations to make use of the vacant space available on the school premises to grow vegetables and fruits as part of the ‘Maguvigondu Mara, Shalegondu Vana’ programme. Much before its advice, this school developed the garden and has become self-sufficient.
Mr. Rangaswamy, who is on verge of his retirement, told The Hindu that 80 per cent of the vegetables for Akshara Dasoha was procured from the school garden.
Between 9 a.m. and 9.30 a.m. daily, children (on rotation basis) work in the garden under the guidance of the headmaster and teachers. If necessary, the children also work in the evening after school hours to enrich the garden, according to Mr. Rangaswamy.
A native of Mosale village in Hassan district, Mr. Rangaswamy (59), who owns agricultural land in his village, said, “I spent money from my pocket for the drip irrigation.”
The village community and the local people’s representatives also supported immensely for the school’s development. The school has registered cent per cent results and attendance.
The school has 113 students and five teachers. “We get books, pencils and other essentials from a group of staff of Infosys Mysore every year. Six computers have been donated to the school by them.”
Another school at Yelwal has also developed a garden and is growing vegetables. Its efforts too have also come under appreciation.
