BENGALURU: Government Girls Higher Primary School in Devanahalli received a major makeover thanks to the CSR initiatives of a few corporates and organisations. Far from what it used to be, the newly renovated school was inaugurated on July 3.
Speaking with City Express Gayathri Devi, Block Education Officer (BEO), Devanahalli under whose jurisdiction the school falls says, “The number of classrooms were not enough for the students the school had. While earlier there were around 180 students.
It presently has around 250 schools. New classrooms were added and other major infrastructural requirements were fulfilled.” The kitchens where mid-day meals were prepared were also in a not so good state.
“A very spacious one was as a result constructed in its place,”adds Gayathri. A dining hall was also added. “In government schools such as this, there is no concept of dining halls. In addition to this a meeting hall was also constructed. Washrooms for boys and girls were renovated, a garden was also laid. Along with the infrastructure, a number of furniture has also been donated such as tables and desks,” says
Gayathri. Staff rooms, a library, science labs have also been newly constructed.
Talking about the newly installed infrastructure, Soundarya, a class 8 student of the school opines, “Now, our school looks very beautiful. The classrooms and the furniture are also very good now.”
The initiative was of Embassy Group along with Swiss Re Foundation and the Bangalore North Round Table.
With the planned construction completed, there are also plans to provide several “holistic and innovative educational programs” to help the students. The total cost of this project is close to ` 1.5 crore. The project was completed in 7 months.
Gayathri says that the Government Girls Higher Primary School is one of many schools that has been planned for development with the help of CSR initiatives of various companies. “The plan to renovate and rebuild schools was sanctioned by the principal secretary of the primary and secondary education department, Shalini Rajneesh last month. Work has been going on accordingly in other schools” she adds.