MYSURU: In the last 15 years, fund of no less than `5 crore has been pumped into the government school in Ashokapuram, a century-old school, to provide basic amenities. Revenue Minister V Srinivas Prasad who was a Union minister in the then NDA government had adopted it. But all these measures did not do any good to the school; with year after year student strength declining.
More than 90 per cent of people in Ashokapuram, where the school is located belong to BPL category. Surrounded by a good number of private schools, the parents are enrolling their wards to these institution. They are taking admission through Right to Education Act for their wards and prefer private schools, thinking their children will get a better education.
School started in 1902
The school was opened in 1902 by philanthropist Lingaiah, after obtaining land from the Wadiyar family. Started with ‘Shishu Vihar’, the school was in a dilapidated condition. It was then that V Srinivasa Prasad, former mayor Purushotham and former deputy mayor G Lingaiah who had studied in the school from 1st to 7th standard, chipped in and decided to adopt the school.
Dr Kamalaraman, social worker Nandakumar and several others joined hands in this regard.
High school was introduced, infrastructure and other facilities on par with private schools were provided by collecting donation and taking grants from the government. But all their efforts did not pay off as the strength of students started declining every year.
The strength from 1st to 7th standard is of 70 students at present against 135 two years ago.
The high school’s strength had come down to 46 students against 64 during 2014-15.
Former mayor Purushotham said: “Spending more than `5 crore, the 114-year-old building was renovated in 2000 to attract students. Infrastructure and other facilities have been upgraded on par with private schools, but students are not joining the school as there are a good number of private schools in the vicinity. Despite all these efforts, parents of the nearby locality are not showing interest to enrol their wards in the school. We are planning to introduce PU from the next year.”