Mangaluru: Dakshina Kannada Zilla Panchayat Higher Primary School at Ananthady in Bantwal taluk is a fine example of how a school can be developed with community participation.

The school has completed centenary celebrations last December with better infrastructure facilities created by the local residents, teachers, old students, elected representatives and officials from the department of education.

school headmaster Dodda Kempaiah said that while discussing on the centenary celebrations of the school, a WhatsApp group – School Brigade – comprising local residents, old students, teachers, department officials and elected representatives were formed to discuss how to go about the work. Over a period of time, the school started getting funds and grants were sanctioned by elected representatives.

The residents worked hard to give a new look to the school.

Work worth Rs 45-50 lakh that includes a stage, toilets, garden, playground, drinking water facility, a welcome arch and so on were undertaken, with the contributions of donors and funds released by the elected representatives. Tiles were also laid in each classroom, the work on flag post was also taken up, along with the development of a garden with lawns.

About 50 youths, including teachers, SDMC members and local residents played a vital role by carrying out shramadan for 90 days from 6-10.30 pm every day in carrying out the work on repair of classrooms, toilets and construction of compound wall.

“To recharge the borewell, the gram panchayat dug three percolation pits near the borewell, thereby installing a rainwater harvesting system. The students decorated the walls of the school with Warli art.

A donor has also laid 12 taps with a shed over it, to help the school children to wash their hands after the mid-day meals,” said the headmaster.

“Nali-Kali (play and learn) concept for students of classes 1 to 3 has been a success in our school. The two classrooms of the Nali-Kali is attractive with all the facilities required for children to have activity-based learning,” said Dodda Kempaiah.

“A total of 172 children are pursuing their education in the school and teachers are striving to impart quality education,” said the headmaster.