Vishwasa Kirana, a State government initiative for arranging special classes in Dasara vacations for Class IX and Class X students studying in government high schools, has received good response from students and parents in Kalaburagi district. The 25-day exercise was initiated to improve the performance of slow-learning students, especially those from Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes, in the examinations, particularly SSLC. Mathematics, Science and English subjects are taught by expert subject teachers.
As per information provided by the Department of Primary Education and Secondary Education, there are an average of 200 slow-learning students in each one of the 24 centres. The department has established three centres combining students from nearby government high schools in each one of the eight educational blocks in the district.
When The Hindu visited a centre established at Mahagaon Cross in Kalaburagi North Block recently, over 220 students were attending classes. Teachers were using microphones and speakers for conducting classes.
“Special classes are very useful. In regular classes, teaching is almost one-way. But, here it is interactive. Apart from teaching, teachers here involve us. I have never missed a class so far,” said Nazmin Begam, a 10th Class student. Her village is 10 km away from the centre and she uses private transport services to reach the centre and go home after the classes.
Facilities such as midday meal and bus passes are normally not available during vacations. Upon learning the inconvenience of students being caused by suspension of these facilities, some Block Education Officers (BEOs) have made alternative arrangements.
Channabasappa Mudhol, BEO of Kalaburagi North Block, for instance, has found some charitable organisations to offer midday meal to students in all the three blocks under him.
He had also approached some donors to provide notebooks and pens to students. He was planning to approach North East Karnataka Road Transport, a State-owned transport corporation operating in the area, to issue bus passes to students attending special classes.
“We don’t have special funds except ₹ 500 incentive to a head master who is designated as nodal officer for the programme. We have to find donors to meet the requirements of students,” Mr. Mudhol said.
He fondly attributes the success of vacation classes to the active support and involvement of Zilla Panchayat Chief Executive Officer Hephsiba Rani Korlapati.
Since the Dasara vacation does not apply to head masters, Mr. Mudhol has directed all head masters, except one who is designated as nodal officer, to have special classes at their respective high schools for students who don’t attend special classes in the centres.
