Mysuru: District administration opened a makeshift tent school to provide education to the children of Mahouts and Kavadis who take care of elephants that are taking part in the dasara festivities. Primary and Secondary Minister Tanveer Sait formally opened the school at palace courtyard.
The school was established to ensure that the children did not miss out on conventional lessons taught in the jungle camps. The mahouts and kavadies bring their children along as they camp for more then two months in the city. The school will act as a bridge course for the children and sustain their interest in studies. A total of nine children of different age groups have registered at the school which will commence classed from Tuesday daily between 9.30am and 1pm. The minister also distributed note books and uniforms to students.
Noor Fathima, Head Master, Government School, KR Mohalla, who has been part of the makeshift school over the last ten years will continue take lessons in Kannada, environment and mathematics during the course of the day. The classes will start with prayer in the morning.
Fathima says, “It is challenging task to teach these children who are different from normal children. For normal children if we tell anything they will listen but it’s not the same with these children as their background and inclinations are different. There is lot of techniques involved to attract these children towards learning and we adopt ‘simple to complex’ and ‘Joyful learning’ method to teach these children. Last year 53 students attended the class”.
What does tribal students say
Most of the students who are attending the class at makeshift tent say that the teaching method which are followed here are more interesting and they also mention that they will be eagerly waiting for classes every year. Akash, who is studying in fifth standard said “Here we not only get good coaching but also get good food, uniform, books, geometry box and well equipped library which is not the same in our native place at Shatihalli”.
Tent library
On the occasion, Tanveer Sait also inaugurated Tent Library at the school. In a move aimed to inculcate reading habit among mahouts, kavadis, their children and family members who are in city for dasara, the department of public libraries and Mysore Library and Information Scientists Association set up tent library at palace premise. There are nearly 5000 to 6000 collection of books. Most of the books are related to comics and story books all in Kannada. The library will be kept open during school hours. A librarian will be guiding students.
Digital teaching by Kalisu foundation
To attract students towards learning, Kalisu Foundation with the help of power point presentation, will be making learning more interesting. Apart from academics, they will also be teaching students interesting rhymes. They will introduce some of electronic gadgets including tab and computer. The foundation will also depute full time teachers for tent school. “During the course the foundation will also take these children to DRC, start hotels, prominent tourist spots including zoo, Shopping Mall, Chamundi Vihar stadium and also to experience city life they will be taken to Devaraj Urs road. With the help of our Physical Education Director, we are also planning to identify sports talent among these children. If anyone found talented we are planning to identify and give them intense training” added Nikilesh Mallikarjun, Founder and CEO of Kalisu Foundation.
