Academic Update from the Shanbhag School Kumta

March 26, 2008 by Arun Shanbhag

When I first posted on the Shanbhag School, the upper floor (1st floor) was still under construction. During my visit in Nov, it was a thrill to see students enjoying lectures in the new classrooms. You can see pics of ongoing classes later in the post. But first, an important question: How are the students performing academically?

In a word – EXCELLENT!
Summary of Results of 58 students who appeared in the 2007 X Std, Karnataka State Board Exams:

Highest score of 97.7%
3/58 students scored greater than 97%
20/58 students scored greater than 90%
34/58 scored greater than 85%
54/58 scored greater than 60%
3/58 scored between 50 and 60%
1/58 scored between 35 and 50%
No student in the entire class failed the X std Board exams

WoW! Congratulations to the students on their excellent performance. Also a big pat on the back for the teachers who did an outstanding job of educating the young. Since the Shanbhag School is a private school, it does not receive any Government subsidies or aid. Thus the teacher’s salary are much lower than at local government-aided schools. The dedication of teachers to teach is thus so much more appreciated. The 2008 exams has recently concluded and it will be some months before the results are out.

Here are a few pics of ongoing classes. Note: I did not know that Thursdays are “casual Thursdays” and students did not have to wear their blue and white uniforms (which you see in this post). Thus the school took on a festive appearance. YaaY!

It was a fabulous November afternoon. Looking towards the front of the school. For comparison, see here for pics from a few years ago.

Bright and spacious rooms!

In every classroom I entered (accompanied by the Vice-principal) all students would stand and greet me. Heeeeee heeeeeee. Made my day!

The teacher painstakingly wrote out even the “Fill in the blanks.” All classrooms had photographs of different national leaders above the black board.

On the upper right corner of the blackboard, the daily tally of students is chalked. Notice the near equal distribution of boys and girls in the class and is nearly equal at the school level.

A textbook, bits of writing chalk, a homemade duster to wipe the boards and a ruler.

Updates and Related Posts about the Shanbhag School

Posted in Konkani, Kumta, Shanbhag School | Tagged Konkani, Kumta, Shanbhag School | 29 Comments

29 Responses

on March 26, 2008 at 12:07 pm | Reply Maya

Wow! It is awesome that your family is doing this. Kudos to you all. The school looks great – I loved the bright and airy classroom; such a wonderful place to learn.
on March 26, 2008 at 12:53 pm | Reply Arun Shanbhag

Thank you Maya for your kind words. The Konkan Education Trust manages this and the adjacent Primary school and they are doing a fabulous job. Our hats off to their management team.
Even when i visit, I am careful not to make too many “suggestions.”

You should visit the school the next time you are there.
on March 26, 2008 at 3:07 pm | Reply VegeYum

I am always excited to see posts about the school. How well they all did in the exams! and the buildings look wonderful.
on March 26, 2008 at 3:35 pm | Reply Arun Shanbhag

Thank you Jennifer. I am sure you realize from your travels that such work takes a lot of time and effort of the locals; and its upto us to support the good work.
Thanks
on March 26, 2008 at 3:36 pm | Reply Viji S

Arun, its a delight and a joy to look at the children, teachers and the school. Amazing job — by the teachers, children and the trust.
Education is the true gift that we can give our children. Kudos and thanks to you and your family for making a difference. – Viji
on March 26, 2008 at 3:45 pm | Reply Arun Shanbhag

Many thanks Viji; O I had a great time visiting and meeting with the students and the teachers. looking forward to my visit there in July.
on March 28, 2008 at 1:53 pm | Reply Maya

Amazing scores there hanh !! Really a great job by the students and the teachers. The building structure looks complete now. Looking at those tiny bits of chalk pieces reminded me of my school and college days. We had one lecturer in college who would aim these tiny chalk bits at students who would day dream in class, hehehe. We would all try and pay as much attention in his class as possible ..
on March 28, 2008 at 3:20 pm | Reply Rachna

aw you must be proud of the students doing so well…
on March 30, 2008 at 7:04 pm | Reply Arun Shanbhag

Maya –
Thank you for those anecdotes with the chalk. You are lucky – in our convent in mumbai we would get caned by the nuns! )

btw, which school did you go to? Gibbs?
on March 30, 2008 at 7:05 pm | Reply Arun Shanbhag

Rachna –
many thanks!
we are absolutely thrilled that the students are going to do well and “go places.”
on March 31, 2008 at 3:20 am | Reply sia

i would ask my amma to make those dusters so taht i can take it to school and impress my teacher LOL… its wonderful to know abt the progress and hats off to all the students, teaches and the trust… very impressive job indeed
on April 3, 2008 at 8:39 am | Reply Arun Shanbhag

Thank you Sia.
Interesting that you’d do that! Neat!

Growing up in Mumbai, our convent school teachers had those hard wooden brushes. When these were not used to clean the boards, they were used on the knuckles of poor students. some of the teachers (including the nuns) were ruthless!
on April 4, 2008 at 4:07 am | Reply sia

oh!!! i remember that too… one of my math’s teacher would make us face the wall and touch our nose to the wall well, i always was teacher’s pet. but i did get punished onece in primary and once in high school never cared much when joined college… he he he…
on April 4, 2008 at 12:10 pm | Reply Arun Shanbhag

Sia – you, you YOU! Teachers pet YOU!
))

I was the opposite. See, We would get new calendars in June; and by July by calendar will be full of “misbehaving” remarks!!! and by Aug, they’d refuse to accept fees and I’d have to call in my parents.

More caning later, more misbehaving remarks and the cycle continues.

I am well acquainted with the ‘cane’, the duster, ruler, heavy scissors, and all other torture devices!
on April 5, 2008 at 7:22 pm | Reply Purushottam

Hi Arun,

Great post !! Thanks to your family’s contribution to Kumta. Many students and there families are gratefull to your family for helping them realise their dreams .

Great to see the school results , sure Kumta flag is set fly high all over the world with this new generation . I am glad to see the building standing pretty with the amazing background. Infact, i was involved in designing of the building helping my brother who is the architect of the school. So the school has special place in my heart.

Baggon Gudda hilltop is one of my favorite spots fof Kumta for its panaromic view of the coastal stretch, the sea, the coconut plantations and the greenary. Just few weeks away from down under.
on April 7, 2008 at 7:53 am | Reply Arun Shanbhag

Hi Purushottam:
Thank you very much for your comments and for introducing yourself. Your brother did a wonderful job with the school and I commend him and you!

I hope the school students continue to do well. We are heading there again in July and thrilled about it. Perhaps we can meet then.

are you in australia now? send me an email: arunshanbhag at gmail
on June 4, 2008 at 2:00 am | Reply smita

Arun,

Hey this trip to India I am going to visit the school any suggestions what i can take for the school.
on June 5, 2008 at 8:50 am | Reply Arun Shanbhag

Hi Smita:
Fabulous! Please see me e-mail about what to do at the school.

Arun
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