Madikeri (Kodagu): Because all classes online because of covid-induced locking after the second wave in April, this teacher from Mullur Village, Somwarpet in Kodagu, about 250 km from Bengaluru, found a unique solution to overcome the internet problem that did not.
C S Sathhesha, a 37-year-old government school teacher, decided to build a bamboo platform on a tree so he could continue to teach children from high perch.
Satheesha, who taught students from 1 to 5 standards in the lower government elementary school in Mulur, said it took two months to build a peak class.
“I spent around Rs 10,000 to build it, which included lighting,” he added.
Materials needed – Bamboo, Hay and Gunny Sacks – obtained with friends.
This out-of-the-box idea was inspired by emergency observers (locally called “Atta-Palli”) used by villagers during the harvest season to monitor elephants and wild boars that can destroy their plants.
Now, the platform is where it goes to hold a daily class for students in English, mathematics and kannada.
Because at a height of 20 feet, weak acceptance problems have been overcome.
He also helped organize several additional smartphones for students while others were taught using conference calls.
His students appreciated the efforts he made.
“Our teacher is very good.
Because of his innovative thoughts, we do not miss the classroom,” Have, a class student 4.
Following his success story, Karnataka’s main education minister S Suresh Kumar has taken the problem of connectivity in rural areas seriously and has urged Minister of Minister Yediyurappa and Head of Secretary P Ravi Kumar to intervene and get a service provider.
“I have written to CM and the Secretary of the Chief who explains the situation in Malnad and other hilly areas and asks them to call a service provider meeting to allow connectivity in this area,” Kumar said.
An official retirees of the Ministry of Public Instruction said: “We need teachers such as Satheesha who try hard to teach students.”