Primary School at Kagikarkhane With just 10 students, future is tense for this school

#KALABURAGI : The Government Lower Primary School at Kagikarkhane in Kalaburagi has only 10 students. When Shining India &  Express visited the school on Tuesday, there were only eight students attending classes. There are 50 government schools with 10 or less students in the district.

Shashikala Hambadi, Head Mistress, said while class 1 has two students, Class 2 has five students, Class 4 has two and Class 5 has one student.

She said no student has enrolled for Class 3. Of the 10 students, six are boys. The parents of these students are quarry labourers. About 20 families reside in Somashekhar Nagar, 2km from the school.

Shashikala said that the school was opened to help the families in Somashekhar Nagar and the students promoted from the school had discontinued studies. She said she was apprehensive that some children may drop out if the school was merged with the government school at Tajsultanpur.

Hanumant Rajwade, a parent, said that if there is a merger, he will consult other parents on whether or not to continue the education of their children. “Our children cannot walk 8km every day to and fro for the sake of schooling,” Hanumant said.  Lakshmi, studying in 2nd standard, said she was ready to go to school even if it was shifted, only if her parents agree.

Deputy Director of Public Instruction Rayappa Reddy said mapping of such schools will be done and students will be admitted to bigger schools.