Silvester D’ Souza

Daijiworld Media Network – Kundapur (EP)

Kundapur, Jan 14: “A free helpline will be started on March 31 to listen to the deficiencies and issues in education,” said Karnataka minister of Primary and High School Education S Suresh Kumar. He was speaking at the inauguration programme of the new building of Manoor-Padukere government higher primary school, Udupi on Monday, January 13.

“Teachers, public, parents and students can obtain solutions and suggest ways to improve education through the helpline. An app is being developed for those who are willing to contribute for the development of government schools and for those who are willing to voluntarily teach in government schools when they have spare time. The necessary consent will be given to them from next academic year. The weight of school bags will be reduced from next year and children will be encouraged to indulge in other activities by making two days in a month as bag-free days.

“Karnataka public schools are started with the intention that students should obtain education from primary to degree stage in the same premises. Education from first standard till degree is available in Manoor-Padukere school but there are no pre university classes. All other facilities are available here. Permission to begin Karnataka public school will be given here from next year.

“Teachers should be large-hearted. Teachers should not use mobiles or make videos during school timings. Action will be taken against teachers who violate the rules. Our priority should not be only to provide education. We should aim to provide value based high standard education. The aim of education will be fulfilled if we fill good values in the minds of students and make them good citizens,” he opined.

Muzrai, ports and fisheries minister Kota Srinivas Poojary, Kundapur MLA Halady Srinivas Shetty, Kota gram panchayat president Vanita Sridhar Achar, DDPI Sheshanayana Karinja, Brahmvar block education officer O R Prakash, Geetananda Foundation’s Anand C Kunder, government high school headmaster Sathish Aithal, government higher primary school headmistress Jayanti, school development committee president Jayaram Shetty, alumni association president Dr Prakash Tholar and others were present. Students who made special achievement on national level were felicitated.

'Transfer rules will be changed from next year'

The minister, addressing teachers and students at Dr Shivarama Karanth Theme Park said that the rules to transfer teachers will be changed from next year. “Those teachers who only want a transfer will be transferred. Teachers who are already transferred to other districts can get themselves transferred to the place that they wish. Primary school teachers will be transferred within their taluk limits and high school teachers will be permitted to get transferred within their district limits,” he said.

Speaking about School Development and Monitoring Committee (SDMC) in government schools, he said that donors for the development of schools and education will be allowed entry in SDMC. “There is scarcity of science teachers in the state. Therefore, they will be appointed. LKG and UKG will be started in government schools and Guruspandana scheme will be revived. Solution to pension scheme will be decided in a meeting on Tuesday.

“Attempts will be made to train teachers of unaided schools, increase salary of those who prepare Bisiyoota and stipend for sportspersons like for Pratibha Karanji,” he said.

He received appeals from teachers. He assured them of solving their problems. Minister Kota Srinivas Poojary, DDPI Sheshanayana, DDPU Maruti, entrepreneur Anand C Kunder, Kotatattu gram panchayat president Raghu Tingalaya were present. Teacher Narendra Kumar Kota compered the programme.