Police Children’s Residential School in Dharwad set to reopen

DHARWAD: The NA Muttanna Police Children’s Residential School in Dharwad, which had run into rough weather due to internal squabbling, is all set to reopen for the academic year 2020-21.
The school was established in 1999 to provide quality education to the children of police constables, head constables and assistant sub-inspectors from Belagavi and Kalaburagi revenue divisions, thanks to donations from IAS officer N A Muttanna.The then HRD minister S R Bommai had inaugurated it in 1999.
Two years ago, the school got a new building with well-equipped infrastructure. It had registered 100% pass in SSLC exams for 10 years, and 97% for eight years, while it dropped to 77% in SSLC exams of March/ April 2019. Many students have excelled in sports at national and state levels, and many alumni have occupied tops positions.
The authorities had blamed teachers for the decline in pass percentage, and had also relieved teachers who had put in 22 years of service.
Dharwad SP was the chairman of the school managing committee. As the school earlier had jurisdiction over Belagavi and Kalaburgi revenue divisions, IGP (north) was made the chairman. This is said to not gone well with the then Dharwad SP and the officer had planned to get the school closed citing poor performance of students in SSLC exams.
MLC and former minister Basavaraj Horatti had taken up the issue with the higher-ups and ensured that the differences were sorted out.
IGP (northern range) Raghavendra Suhas, who is the chairman of the school managing committee, had, in May 2019, issued the appointment orders to teachers who had been removed from the job. Since a majority of the students were issued leaving certificate, the school could not be reopened for the academic year, the re-appointment of teachers notwithstanding.
Thanks to initiative by home minister Basavaraj Bommai and top cop Suhas, the school is ready to be opened for the academic year 2020-21. It is awaiting directions from the government in view of the lockdown.
Children of police personnel from the rank of police constable to assistant sub-inspectors from any part of the state can seek admission to Class 6 to 9 in Kannada or English medium. They can apply by post to the Dharwad SP giving necessary details. Twenty-five students will be admitted to each division.