2 teachers turn government school into success story

BANGALORE: When every parent in Bangalore scrambles for a seat in a private school, the scene in this village on the outskirts is different. Here, parents are pulling out children from private schools and getting them enrolled in a government school. Such is the popularity of Government Primary School, Marasandahalli, Hoskote taluk. The success story of this school and an anganwadi in Konanakunte, Kanakapura Road was the subject matter of a short film screened by Akshara Foundation, an NGO working in primary education sector, on Thursday. The teachers, the real heroes in the story, were honoured at the function along with members from the School Development Monitoring Committee. N Nagrani, who has spent 14 years in this school, travels 42 km along with her colleague L V Shyam Shankar to reach the school. This duo manages 34 children from Classes 1 to 5 in the school. "There would be parents who pick us up on the way. If it's raining, they would wait for us with umbrellas. I have never sought a transfer so far," she said. "Even if she seeks one, we will not let her go," interrupted Padmamma, a mother. Her son, an alumnus of the school, is an electronic engineer now. The community plays an active role in the functioning of the school, with many parents visiting the school on a day-to-day basis. "They even alert the school if a child is found loitering on the fields without attending classes," Nagrani said. Asked about the secret behind their accomplishment, Shankar said: "The school is mine. The children are mine. We work for them and it's a pleasure." There are no complaints of workload, election duty or census work. The teachers have proper planning and put children in charge of classes inculcating in them team work and leadership skills. "Once we think they are ours nothing will become a burden," he said. Like the primary school, S Sunanda's anganwadi school in Konanakunte is also a happy place for some 65 children. Having worked as an anganwadi teacher for 36 years, her passion to be with the children is boundless. "My father was a teacher in his village. I believe there is no limit or cost to sharing knowledge. The more you share the greater it grows. That is what keeps me going," she said. "If your students recognize you after they grow up and become successful in life, that is the biggest satisfaction," she said.   Source: TOI