Mangaluru: The DK ZP Govt Higher Primary School in Belandur, Kadaba taluk, is preparing to mark its centenary year, after it was established in a remote village with limited facilities and transport access.Founded in 1927 with the support of village head Srinivas Rayaru, the school has served generations from Belandur and surrounding rural areas. The institution, which now has classes from grades 1 to 7, currently has 69 students on its rolls.The centenary celebrations are being planned jointly by the school’s alumni association and the school development and monitoring committee. Organisers said the event will not only commemorate the school’s long history but also focus on projects aimed at strengthening its future and improving student enrolment.Supreeth Kumar Jain, president of the alumni association, said preparations are on for the celebrations, likely to be held later this year or in early 2027. He said a meeting of alumni and education supporters will be convened shortly to discuss the formation of a centenary committee and chart out development plans.Jain said the school, located beside the Puttur-Subrahmanya state highway in Belandur, once recorded more than 600 students. Over the years, however, admissions declined as several private and govt schools came up in nearby areas. As part of the centenary roadmap, the alumni initially proposed constructing a new classroom block. That plan was later reconsidered after discussions suggested that infrastructure alone may not be enough to attract more students.Instead, the focus has shifted to creating a sustainable source of income for the school. Jain said the alumni association is now planning to plant 700 areca saplings on the campus. The school already has coconut trees, and the proposed plantation is expected to help generate financial support for the institution in the long term.Recalling the school’s history, Jain said community participation played a crucial role in its growth from the beginning, especially at a time when educational opportunities and transport facilities were scarce in the region. The school was formally launched as Belandur Elementary School on Sept 14, 1927, and later recognised by the education department as a higher primary school on July 15, 1953, allowing children in the area to continue their education locally.
