Mangaluru: Kaikara Govt Higher Primary School in Puttur is all set to celebrate its centenary by undertaking development works worth Rs 1 crore that aim to increase admissions and attract more students to the govt school.Started in 1923 with the help of several locals, and with the aim of providing education to those from weaker sections, Kaikara Govt Higher Primary School in Puttur will celebrate its two-day centenary celebrations from Feb 14.Ramanna Rai, head teacher of the school, said that the school, which is about 9km from Puttur town, was started by several villagers in 1923. After it started, the school operated in the houses of villagers, before it got permanent land donated by Chomu Poojarthi and family.The first teacher was Somappa Rai, who was also one of the founders of the school. Till 1983, it ran classes up to Class V, which later upgraded up to Class VII. In 2019-20, the school was approved to start LKG/UKG. This academic year, the school received permission to start a bilingual medium.Rai added that there are currently a total 60 students enrolled in the school, including 30 in LKG/UKG, and one permanent and three honorary teachers. “In the past, the school had good admissions, which started dwindling after the start of English-medium schools. Admissions started improving after the introduction of LKG/UKG, and this year we received 10 admissions. To improve admissions, the SDMC, alumni, and locals decided to revamp the school infrastructure,” he said.“An auditorium has been built, with space made on the upper floors for classrooms. The sports ground has been developed and the school premise has compound walls. More works will be taken up,” he added.As part of the centenary celebrations, there will be various cultural events, and meets of past SDMC members and alumni.
