Category Archives: Education

Tribute : Mundachadira Gangu Deviah, Founder-Director of Deviah Memorial Preparatory School

Education, Famous Personalities of Kodagu / Coorg, Inspiration / Positive News and Features, Leaders, Records, All

Mundachadira Gangu Deviah, Founder-Director of Deviah Memorial Preparatory School, Bittangala, Kodagu, passed away at the age of 80 on Feb.4, 2015. Here is a tribute to the great soul who started the boarding school at a time when there were no residential schools in Kodagu. Now read on…

Mrs. M.G. Deviah, the founder of Deviah Memorial Preparatory School in Bittangala, Kodagu, worked tirelessly for 35 years to make the school what it is today.

In 1981, at a time when there were no residential schools in Coorg, she made a bold and unprecedented decision to start a preparatory boarding school in memory of her husband. Children from the age of 4 were nurtured and prepared till the age of 11 to enter any school in India.

She was the pioneer of boarding school education for young children in Coorg, an inspiration to people who went on to start boarding schools. This was her service to Coorg.

Hundreds of children have passed through the portals of her school. She instilled in them values and ideals, courtesy, etiquette and respect. The children from her school have gone on to become chefs, special educators, lawyers, doctors, designers, engineers, professors, horticulturists, home-makers and planters. They all share a special bond with the school. Mrs. Deviah’s efforts were rewarded with the love and success of the children.

The school is committed to upholding her values and providing children with quality care and a good foundation at a highly affordable price.

We at Deviah Memorial Preparatory School deeply mourn her loss.

[Courtesy: Coffeeland News]
source: http://www.starofmysore.com / The Star of Mysore / Home> Feature Articles / March 22nd, 2015

Who’s a Linguistic Minority, Asks HC

Education

Bengaluru :

The High Court on Thursday asked the Karnataka government to spell out how it grants a community linguistic minority status.

Justice B V Nagarathna observed that many schools were clamouring for minority status to escape the stipulations of the Right to Education Act.

Hearing petitions seeking linguistic and religious minority status, the court said although the National Commission for Minority Education Act of 2004 was clear about which groups constitute minorities, no guidelines were in place to define educational institutions claiming concessions.

The judge asked the managements of two schools not to fill the mandatory 25 per cent seats under the RTE free quota until the issue was resolved by the court, and directed the government to not take any ‘precipitative action’ against them.

Coorg Public School, run by the Kodagu Academy for Education and Culture in Kodagu district, had approached the court seeking linguistic minority status. Citizen School in Hosakote had claimed it was a school run by a religious minority.

Advocate General Ravivarma Kumar said a group constituting more than 15 per cent of the total population — but constituting the majority — was treated as a linguistic minority. The government would look at the 2011 census to brief the court, he said. The next hearing is on March 12. G R Mohan, advocate for one of the petitioners, said the schools were in a quandary as applications for religious minority status had not been processed by the Department of Public Instruction.

source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> Cities> Bengaluru / by Express News Service / March 06th, 2015

Amend Constitution to protect regional languages: Manu Baligar

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Education, Records, All

The Supreme Court’s verdict that the State can’t impose medium of instruction has had an impact on regional languages.

The only alternative before the State government is to exert pressure on the Centre and bring in an amendment to the Constitution, said writer and Kannada and Culture department retired commissioner Manu Baligar.

Speaking after inaugurating Somwarpet taluk Kannada literary meet here on Sunday, he said that elected representatives and officials should bring in an amendment to the Constitution to protect regional languages.

“We need to empower Kannada language. The Kannada software needs to be further developed. The State government should implement the recommendations of the committee headed by Chidananda Gowda. Kannadigas are not only those who speak Kannada as their mother tongue but also those who have respect for Kannada land, water and language,” he said.

In his presidential address, Bacharaniyanda P Appanna said the State government should initiate measures to provide 50 per cent reservation in government jobs for all those who have studied in Kannada medium up to 10th standard.

“Today, we have Kannada medium schools in villages with all basic facilities. However, the schools have failed to attract students. People are obsessed with English language. This fascination has reached such limits that Kannada medium schools are closing down. Kannada Sahitya Parishat should conduct various competitions to promote Kannada. Kannada books library should be opened in all gram panchayat offices,” he added.

He remembered the contributions of John Michael, William Reev, Herman Mogling, and Rev Kittel to the development of Kannada language.

Kannada schools were opened in Kodagu in 1837. The rich people in Kodagu were fascinated towards English. However, it was teachers and experts from Mangaluru and Mysuru who contributed to the growth of Kannada in Kodagu, he added.
DH News Service

source: http://www.deccanherald.com / Deccan Herald / Home> District / by Nelyahudikeri (Somwarpet Taluk) / DHNS – March 01st, 2015

Gonimaroor school gets Parisara Mitra award

Education, Records, All

GonimarurKF02feb2015.jp

Gonimarur school has bagged the district level Parisara Mitra award given by Karnataka State Pollution Control Board, Kodagu district administration, Bharath Scouts and Guides and Karnataka State Legal Services Authority, for the year 2014-15.

One hundred eighty one schools, across the district, had applied for the award. 21 schools have been selected among them.

10 schools will be identified as yellow schools and will be awarded Rs one thousand cash prize, certificate and shield, 10 schools will be known as green schools and will get Rs two thousand cash prize and shield and Gonimaroor school will be recognised as Parisara Mitra school with Rs ten thousand cash prize, certificate and shield. The school which started in 1968, has 68 students from first to seventh standard.

Around 50 variety of flower bearing plants have been grown in the school garden. Each students has been given responsibility of a plant and the plant is named after the student, with a tag on it.

The students look after the plant and water the plant every day. The vegetables required for the mid-day meals are grown by the students themselves. There are more than 101 trees including mango, jack fruit, gooseberry and neem trees, all planted and grown by students. The dry leaves are collected by students to prepare organic manure. Also, there are medicinal plants. The toilets at the school are well maintained.

The natural wind are light are utilised at its best and also, the water management is efficiently done. Last year, the school had won the second place in the district level.

The school has also bagged district level awards twice in science modeling. The school has a library which is managed by students themselves.

The school development and management committee comprises 13 members as is presided by Siddalingappa. The committee has provided sports equipment to the students.

S P Mareena is working as the Headmistress of the school and there are four teachers including H R Sunitha and Nagaveni. School teacher H S Rajappa said that the Parisara Mitra award is the outcome of the contributions and hard work of students, teachers and the school development and management committee.

source:http://www.deccanherald.com / Deccan Herald / Home> District / Somvarpet – DHNS, January 31st, 2015

Integrated development of Kodagu dist assured

Education

Virajpet to get Balamandira, Morarji Desai School

District in-charge and Home Minister K J George said, the government is committed for the integrated development of the district and an effort will be made to solve the burning issues in the district.

Speaking after unfurling the Republic Day celebrations, here, on Monday, he said, the District Administration has initiated measures to mitigate drinking water woes and develop Raja Seat. “Measures have been taken to construct Balamandira, Morarji Desai Residential School in Virajpet and Valmiki Bhavana. For the first time in the history of the country, the State government will conduct a socio-educational, economic survey, in the month of April. The people should furnish complete details for an objective assessment of their socio-economic status,” he said.

Students of Crescent School, St Michael Primary School, St Joseph High School, Little Flower School and Rajarjeshwari School presented cultural programmes on the occasion.
District-level Sarvothama Seva awards were conferred on Chandrakanth Nayak, Mallikarjunaiah, Ravikumar, Praveen Kumar, N M Jagadeesh, and Abdul Rab. The winners of essay writing and painting competitions Niharika, Reshma, Bhumika, Mansur were felicitated. NCC cadets Madikeri FMC College student Prathap Kumar and Bharathiya Vidya Bhavan Kodagu Vidyalaya student Pratheek Bopanna were also felicitated.

MLAs Appachu Ranjan and K G Bopaiah, former MLC M C Nanaiah and others were present.

Sainik School

Sainik School Kodagu, at Kudige, near Kushalnagar, celebrated the 66th Republic Day on Monday.

Principal Captain Ben H Berson was the reviewing officer and he was escorted by a horse cavalcade. In his address, he mentioned about the technological advancement of the country in different walks of life. A music programme was conducted by Franco for the staff and cadets.

source: http://www.deccanherald.com / Deccan Herald / Home> District / DHNS, Madikeri – January 27th, 2015

Madikeri: Girls Top District-level Debate Competition Held at Ponnampet

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Education, Records, All

Madikeri:

A district-level debate competition was conducted by Sri Sai Shankar School, Ponnampet for PU and degree students on the topic ‘Harassment of girls in educational institutions’.

The first prize was won by Pragathi of 2nd PUC, St Joseph’s PU College, Madikeri while the second prize was won by K C Thanvi Thangamma of 1st PUC, Vidyaniketan PU College, Gonikoppa, Kodagu.

Thanvi Thangamma is the daughter of Kallichanda Suresh Chengappa and Kavitha Kaveramma Kallichanda, residents of Balele in south Kodagu.

source: http://www.mangalorean.com / Mangalorean.com / Home / by Special Correspondent with inputs from Mohan Devaiah / August 21st, 2014

Teachers, students differ on move to install CCTVs in classes

Education

AMUCT against proposal, political student organisations in support

Teachers and students differ on Mangalore University’s move to install closed circuit television (CCTV) cameras in classrooms and laboratories in institutes owned by the university.

Vice-Chancellor K. Byrappa announced on Tuesday that the university will install CCTV cameras in classrooms, laboratories and at the university campus at Mangalagangotri, its post-graduate centre at Chikka Aluvara in Kodagu district and its two constituent colleges – University College in Mangalore and Field Marshal K.M. Cariappa College in Madikeri.

The Association of Mangalore University College Teachers (AMUCT) might have opposed the decision but the Association of Principals of Government First Grade Colleges under Mangalore University welcomed the move. Politically affiliated student organisations – Akhila Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishat (ABVP), Students’ Federation of India (SFI) and National Students’ Union of India (NSUI) have also supported the university’s move.

Norbert Lobo, president, AMUCT told The Hindu that the bond between students and teachers was based on trust and hence there was no need to question it by installing CCTV cameras. He said the cameras could be installed on the campus, corridors and other common places. He said many colleges had installed the cameras on their campuses and police had instructed the colleges to do so as a security measure.

K. Radhakrishna, president, Association of Principals of Government First Grade Colleges under Mangalore University, said CCTV cameras in classrooms were required to monitor students as many government colleges were facing dearth of staff.

He said if some government colleges under the university, such as the ones in Vitla and Tenkanidiyoor, already installed the cameras both in classrooms and campuses some colleges were installing it.

Jayesh P K, city secretary, ABVP, Ashith Pereira, district president, NSUI, Nitin Kuttar, district president, SFI, said that the cameras in class rooms and campuses helped as a security measure in many a way.

Teachers and students said that many colleges have already banned the use of cell phones not only in class rooms and in campuses. Students would have to take permission of principals to bring cell phones.

Mr. Radhakrishna said that the government and the university sent circulars every year reminding colleges not to allow use of cell phones in colleges.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> Features> Education Plus> College / by RaviPrasad Kamila / Mangalore – August 28th, 2014

Verbattle junior- zonal selection kicks off in Mangalore; 22 teams shortlisted

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Education, Famous Personalities of Kodagu / Coorg

Mangalore :

Around 60 teams participated in the Verbattle Junior Round at the zonal level selection of the Verbattle Junior as a part of Verbattle Debate Competition 2014 here on Friday out of which 22 teams have been shortlisted to go to the next level ‘Verbattle Junior-Skirmish’ which is to be held in Bangalore in the third week of August.

The participants belonged to the age group of 12-16 years studying in Std VIII to Std X. The 22 teams selected in the Mangalore zone included teams from Chikmagalur, Dakshina Kannada, Kodagu, Uttara Kannada, Udupi and Shimoga. The zonal level selection of Verbattle senior will take place on Saturday.

After a basic introduction to the rules and regulations of the Verbattle Junior round, Verbattle foundation Founder Deepak Thimaya announced the topics that were to be debated upon in the course of the event. Out of a list of 10 topic statements, some of the topics included – The current education system is not equipped to deal with intelligence, Politics has solutions to India’s problems and Schools are breeding grounds of negativity. The participant teams were given their final topics around 30 minutes before the debate session following which the teams underwent intense sessions of about an hour.

“Verbattle is a wonderful platform that improves one’s speaking skills. Initially I had problems in speaking fluently but participating in Verbattle Junior and reaching the semi-finals last year has given in me immense confidence in speaking and voicing out my opinions and hence I came back this year to participate and I am excited that our team got through to the next round and I’m also confident that our team will win,” said Suraj Kumar, one of the participants studying in Madhav Kripa High school.

The next round which is the Verbattle Junior -Skirmish will be held on August 19 in Bangalore. The semi-finals and finals for Verbattle Junior and Senior will be held on August 22, 2014. The final debates will be moderated by Deepak Thimaya and judged by some of the eminent personalities from the state.

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / Home> City> Mangalore / Stanley Pinto, TNN / August 01st, 2014

Verbattle junior, senior at Mangalore on August 1, 2

Education, Records, All

Mangalore :

The Mangalore zonal selection for Verbattle Junior will be held on August 1 and the selection for the Verbattle senior competition will be held on August 2 here.

The zonal selection round will be held at Samruddhi Bhavan between 9.30 am to 1 pm and between 1.30 pm to 4 pm. The team that would emerge as the sole winner among hundreds of teams participating will be awarded a grand cash prize of Rs. 1 lakh in the Junior Category. The winning team from the Beginner level will receive Rs 30,000; the winning team from Senior Category will receive Rs 50,000.

Verbattle, the country’s largest and most successful inter-school debate competition conducted by Verbattle Foundation had kicked off its tenth edition with Verbattle Beginner competitions in Bangalore on July 21.

Verbattle will be hosted and supervised by Deepak Thimaya. This year, around 1,200 students of schools and colleges are expected to actively participate in the Verbattle competition.

The selection process for the first round of Verbattle is physically conducted for two days in each of the three zones of Karnataka, namely Mangalore, Hubli and Bangalore. The selected teams are then brought to Bangalore, 27 teams from each zone, and in a spread of three weeks, the ensuing events are conducted in Bangalore. The semi-finals and finals for Verbattle Junior and Senior will be held on August 22nd, 2014. The final debates will be moderated by Thimaya and judged by some of the eminent personalities from the state.

Deepak Thimaya said: In the last nine years, we have brought together thousands of school and college students on a common platform. We have given out Rs. 21 lakh as prize money since its inception. This year Verbattle aims to make the tournament bigger and a platform of great learning experience.

Till date Verbattle has conducted 20 state level competitions in Karnataka – nine Verbattle Junior and five Verbattle Senior and also five Verbattle Beginner competitions in Bangalore. For the first time a South India level competition – Verbattle South – was held in January, 2012 after state level competitions in Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh and Kerala along with Verbattle Karnataka. Currently Verbattle is organizing state, regional, national and international competitions along with its other activities such as Verbattle Forum, Club and Leadership programs.

Schools and colleges interested to participate can register by logging on to www.verbattle.com.

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / Home> City> Mangalore / Stanley Pinto, TNN / July 30th, 2014

Seats for two courses at Chikka Aluvara go abegging

Education

It was noon on Friday and only four students had got admission to the postgraduate Microbiology course of Mangalore University offered at its post graduate centre in Chikka Aluvara, Kodagu district.

The fifth student at the microbiology admission desk at the Mangala auditorium at Mangalagangotri – catering to the students seeking admission to Chikka Aluvara centre – was buying some time to pay the full fee.

If that student paid the full fee the microbiology department would have the minimum of five students to run the course. A teacher was seen asking the student to give an undertaking that she would pay the balance to confirm her admission.

A teacher of the department told The Hindu that if the fifth student joined the course, only five of the 16 merit category seats would have been filled up.

Teachers at the desk said that of the 10 students who joined the course during the last academic year, only eight remained.

According to them, the university starting the course on the Mangalagangotri campus from this academic year had hit the admissions at Chikka Aluvara this year. For the same course to be offered at Mangalagangothri campus, 14 students got admitted against 16 merit category seats on Friday.

The bio-chemistry course at Chikka Aluvara centre also appears to have been hit because of it being offered on the Mangalagangothri campus from the current year. Teachers said only nine students joined the course at Chikka Aluvara against 16 merit seats. Last year more than 20 students had joined on the first day.

Each course has six permanent teachers at Chikka Aluvara with five each being Ph.D holders. On the university campus both the courses would have to be managed by guest teachers. On the university campus, 15 out of the 16 merit category seats of bio-chemistry were filled on Friday.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Mangalore / by RaviPrasad Kamila / Mangalore – July 26th, 2014