View from the external government of the Lower Elementary School in the village of Mitahalli, Mulbagal Taluk from the Kolar district. | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement
Meghana B. from the government of the lower elementary school (LPS) in the village of Mitahalli, Mulbagal Taluk in the district of Kolar, this academic year was promoted to class 5. What makes its promotion unique is that the lone student is offering education from classes 1 to 5.
No student has been enrolled in class 1 in this school in the last four years and there is fear that the school can be closed if this trend continues.
Meghana B., a lonely student enrolled in the government of the lower elementary school in the village of Mitahalli, Mulbagal Taluk from the district of Kolar. | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement
There are a total of 72 families with a population of around 436 in the village of Mitahalli. However, 10 school children of this village were admitted to private English secondary schools in other cities, including mulbagal, so the government school was almost empty.
Device intact
The school has all facilities, including classrooms, kitchens, toilets, water, teaching and furniture. The lunch meal is provided to a lone student except hot milk and eggs.
“No student has been admitted to our school over the last four years in class 1. Last year, two students studied in class 5 and one in class 4. Students in class 5 went and went to another school for class 6. One student in class 4 this year. This lonely student is workers and continued here for financial problems.”
“I’ve been working at this school for the last 10 years. Formerly 30 to 40 children studied at our school. But all of them went to other schools after getting a transmission certificate. They all go to private English secondary schools. I visited every house in the village before and after school and tried to convince their children to our school.
Krishnamurty, Deputy Director of Public Instruction (DDPI), Kolar, said that the registration by the end of this month will take place. “We will visit the houses in the village again and take appropriate steps to improve the entry,” he said.
The need for bilingualism
Several local residents he spoke to Hindu said they would fight to keep the school in the village.
Harish Gowda, a native of Mitahalli, said: “In our village, a government school started about 43 years ago and the registration of students was good. However, in recent years, parents have become obsessed with English secondary education.
Published – June 7, 2025 20:27
