In Telangana’s small village of Narapanenipalle, a nine-year-old girl attends school all by herself. The government-run school operates only for Keerthana, making it the only school of its kind in the state. To teach Keerthana, Uma, the sole educator, visits the school daily. Reports indicate that enrolment has been gradually declining over time. The main causes of this reduction are parents’ inclination to enroll their children in state-run social welfare residential schools after class 4 and their growing preference for private and English-medium schools.
Keerthana’s father made the decision to continue her education here because once a school has been closed, it becomes challenging to reopen it for pupils. According to a district education official, Keerthana, who is in class four, goes to the upper primary school in Wyra Mandal.
Social media has lately seen a surge in interest in the girl’s story. Her father’s choice to keep her enrolled and ensure the school’s continued existence was applauded by netizens. She is both fortunate and unfortunate, according to some—lucky to have a committed personal tutor, but unhappy to have lost out on the friendship of her peers. The annual operating costs of the school are roughly ₹12 lakhs. Fifteen years ago, 70 students were enrolled.
In accordance with the mandated student-teacher ratio, the school is now run by a single teacher. In an attempt to enroll at least 25 students, efforts are being made to persuade parents to enroll their kids for the upcoming academic year. Since staffing levels are determined by the recommended student-teacher ratio, the school is now run by a single instructor. The school has also launched a creative initiative called ‘We Can Learn’ in an effort to boost enrolment. The goal of this program is to improve communication and English proficiency. To increase admissions, this project is being widely advertised. Teachers are also receiving training to enhance their abilities.
Image source: BBC India, News18, Telegraph India