Madikeri: Teachers have voiced their worries regarding the shutting down of aided schools in the district due to insufficient student strength and presented their concerns to MLA AS Ponnanna.For several decades, aided educational institutions in Kodagu district have delivered quality education. The Kannada aided schools, established in the 1950s with local donors’ support, have now started closing, they stated. The state education department requires 25 students per class. School management and teaching staff are using their personal funds and donor support to arrange transport and increase enrolment. Despite these efforts, many students from underprivileged backgrounds struggle with regular attendance. When the officials visit the schools, if attendance falls below 25, the headmaster receives notices and salary payments are suspended, they explained.The geographical and social conditions of Kodagu’s hilly terrain make it challenging to maintain consistent enrolment and attendance in aided schools. Over a hundred teachers, led by Kollira Bopanna, vice-chairman of the Kuttandi High School Board of Trustees, met Ponnanna at his Virajpet office.Upon receiving the petition, the MLA acknowledged the attendance issues in govt and aided schools, emphasising that teachers alone cannot resolve this challenge. He commended the teachers for helping the district achieve fourth position in the state”s 10th standard examinations and promised to address the salary withholding issue.Nagaraju, district secretary of the Aided School and College Employees’ Association, suggested that education officials should consult MLAs before recommending the closure of Kannada aided schools, noting that additional time might help increase student numbers.Padinharanda Prabhukumar, District Aided Employees’ Association president, requested staff placement through counselling when schools close. Giddaiah, Virajpet taluk unit president, suggested relaxing minimum enrolment requirements considering Kodagu’s hilly terrain and sparse population.The meeting included Mehboob, district vice-president of Saha Shikshakara Sangha, Krishna Chaithanya, Shiva Prasad, and others.
