Daily creative activities revive tribal student attendance in Kodagu government school: Report
Madikeri: A government school in a tribal settlement of South Kodagu has reversed falling student attendance through an innovative daily programme.
Chennangi Government Primary School, which caters to tribal children, has introduced Dinnakondu Karyakram — a daily programme designed to make learning enjoyable. Since its launch, the school has achieved 100% attendance, a rare feat amid widespread concerns over declining enrolment in government schools across Karnataka, as reported by The New Indian Express.
The school, now accommodating 52 students, has witnessed a notable increase in admissions over the past two years. Children who once resisted attending classes are now showing up eagerly each day.
“Several tribal students stayed away from the institution. When their parents left for daily wage work, these students sat at home. However, we conducted a survey before the start of this academic year and have ensured that all the children from the tribal colony attend classes at the institution,” TNIE quoted Susha K., the headmistress of the institution, as saying.
Previously, the school had introduced Thingaligondu Karyakrama, a monthly talent programme, but some students continued to remain absent. In response, the school shifted to a more consistent approach with daily activities.
Each morning begins with engaging sessions of yoga, singing, dancing, literature, crafts, and unique games. This shift has not only ensured full attendance but also encouraged more than five students who had previously dropped out to return to school, added the report.
To further motivate students, the school has launched a YouTube channel where talent performances are uploaded regularly. “This has resulted in all the students attending classes without fail. It is like an incentive to these students, as the entire village watches and celebrates them after watching the YouTube channel,” the headmistress added.
Admissions have risen from 39 to 52 students over two academic years. In some cases, children who had taken transfer certificates were reportedly persuaded by the headmistress to rejoin the school.
Additionally, the school management has held awareness meetings with parents, urging them to prioritise their children’s education to secure a better future.
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41 lakh illicit liquor seized, 1.84 lakh arrested in major drive: K'taka Minister tells Assembly
Belagavi (Karnataka) (PTI): The Karnataka Excise Department has conducted a statewide crackdown on illegal liquor trade over the last two years, resulting in arrests and seizures of alcohol, Karnataka Excise Minister R B Timmapur said on Tuesday.
As many as 1,09,017 people were arrested, and seizures included 13.66 lakh litres of liquor and 27.19 lakh litres of beer, he said in a written reply to a starred question by Harihar BJP MLA B P Harish in the Karnataka Assembly.
The Minister said the enforcement drive covered the financial year 2023–24, 2024–25 up to June, and 2025–26 from July to October, targeting unauthorised liquor manufacture, storage, sale and transportation across the State.
"During this period, statewide enforcement drives resulted in a total of 1,84,570 raids against illegal liquor sales,” Timmapur said.
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He noted that 9,179 non-bailable cases and 91,968 bailable and compoundable cases under Section 15(A) of the Karnataka Excise Act, 1965, were registered during the same period.
According to him, there have been no reports indicating that students have become addicted to alcohol due to illegal liquor sales.
The sale of alcohol to minors is strictly prohibited under the Karnataka Excise Act, 1965, and the department has issued periodic instructions to initiate legal action against violators, with strict enforcement and investigation measures in place, the Minister said.
Excise officials are carrying out regular road and night patrols, collecting intelligence, monitoring habitual offenders and conducting raids to identify illicit distillation units, unauthorised liquor outlets and spurious liquor manufacturing centres, he said, adding the department is also enforcing the law to prevent the production, storage, sale and transport of spurious, non-duty-paid and unauthorised liquor.
Regular patrols are being conducted on national and state highways, with suspicious vehicles being subjected to checks.
At the district level, standing committee meetings are held under the chairmanship of Deputy Commissioners, and joint operations are carried out with the police and forest departments to curb excise-related offences.
The department is also conducting awareness programmes through Gram Sabhas and in schools and colleges to educate the public and students about the physical, mental and social health hazards associated with alcohol addiction and substance abuse, Timmapur added.
