Udupi: Free books distributed in St. Lawrence Kannada Medium High School, Moodubelle
By Eugene DSouza
Bellevision Media Network
Udupi, 07 Jun 2014: As the Kannada medium schools are facing the problem of successively depleting number of students and the students who manage to attend these schools are usually from economically disadvantaged families, a novel method of adopting these students by donors and sponsors is being introduced in St. Lawrence Kannada Medium High School, Moodubelle since this year with the efforts of some of the senior teachers and generous response of donors. The function to honour these donors and to distribute text books supplied by the government and the note books purchased from the donations of the well wishers to the students of eighth standard was organized in St. Lawrence PU College Hall on Saturday, 7 June 2014 at 10.30 am.
Rajendra Shetty, President of Belle Grama Panchayat was the chief guest of the function. Guests of honour included Mrs. Chandrakala-In-Charge Principal of St. Lawrence PU College, Alphonse K. Alva-Vice President of the Parish Pastoral Council and P.D. Kamath-former teacher of St. Lawrence PU College. Mrs. Hilda Aranha-Senior Teacher of St. Lawrence Kannada Medium High School presided over the programme.
Following the formal welcome by Mrs. Sarojini Kamath and presentation of bouquets and flowers to the guests and donors respectively, Srinivas Ballal, senior teacher narrated the circumstances that led to the proposal of having the poorer students being adopted by generous donors by contributing one thousand rupees and more so that the fees and other school expenses of these students could be met. He said that when he and some of the teachers approached the prospective donors they whole heartedly welcomed the move and promised their support.
Thereafter, the dignitaries on the dais and donors distributed in turn the free text books and note books to the newly enrolled students of the eighth standard.
Speaking at this occasion, the chief guest Rajendra Shetty welcomed the move of the senior teachers asking the donors to adopt poorer students so that the financial burden on such families would be reduced in educating their children. He made an appeal to the parents to see to it that their children would make best use the facilities provided by the high school and encourage them to study well and bring good results.
Alphonse K. Alva, P.D. Kamath and Mrs. Chandrakala also appreciated the steps taken by the high school in supporting the needy students by providing them free books and other facilities such as computer education free of charge.
On behalf of the beneficiary students, one of the eighth standard student-Sriraksha expressed gratitude to all the donors for providing them free books and other facilities and assured them that all the students would do their best in their studies and remain sincere to the trust and hope that the donors have placed in them.
Mrs. Hilda Aranha in her presidential message thanked all the donors for adopting some of the students of St. Lawrence Kannada Medium High School. She said that such steps have become necessary to promote and encourage students from poorer sections of the society at a time when the number of students attending the Kannada medium schools has been falling drastically.
Valerian Crasta proposed the vote of thanks and Mrs. Sunitha Kamath compeered the programme.
Good initiative by management and staff of high school. It is a big challenge to attract students for Kannada medium schools these years, as most of the parents who can afford are prefer to send their children to English medium schools and less fortunate parents are opting to send their children to the schools where free education is available. We have heard that lot of Kannada medium schools are closed down these years due to shottage of students.
Now the old students and wellwishers have to donate generouly and help the management to run these kannada medium schools so that free education, food and uniform can be provided to the students. Also can hire teachers for curricular and co-curricular activities so that students can be trained in all fields and make them ready to face any challenges in fast changing world.
Wishing all the staff and children a succesful academic year ahead and assuring whole hearted support.