Karnataka's Chamarajanagar students blaze a trail with blazers to school

MYSURU: On three days a we-ek, the morning assembly at this govt higher primary scho-ol in Deshipura village carries an unmistakable air of confidence.

The students line up in crisp uniforms, blazers ne-atly buttoned, shoes polished dressed not just for class, but for belief in themselves. For Pragathi, a Class 6 pupil, the blazer represents mo-re than a uniform. "It has gi-ven me confidence, and I feel I can also excel like those stu-dents in private schools," she said, smiling.

Tucked away nearly 58 km from the Chamarajanagar district headquarters, the small rural school in Gundlu-pet taluk is quietly challeng-ing stereotypes associated with govt educational institu-tions. With just 36 students 20 of them girls - the school today presents a scene more commonly associated with private campuses.

Credit goes to Nandish J, the headmaster in-charge, who is completing a decade of service at Deshipura. Wanting to mark the milesto-ne meaningfully, he came up with the idea of introducing blazers and shoes for stu-dents three days a week.


Nandish said that he bore half the cost of the blazers, while his parents contributed the rest. A supplier from Mysuru agreed to provide the clothing at a concessional rate, he added. The total expenditure for the initiative came to Rs 41,000.

According to him, the impact was immediate and visible. "When students walk into the classroom wearing blazers and proper uniforms, along with shoes, it creates a completely new environment," he said. The school caters exclusively to children from tribal communities and other socially and economically weaker sections.

The challenge is compounded by geography. Deshipura lies in the buffer zone of the Bandipur Tiger Reserve, where access to resources and facilities remains limited.

School development and monitoring committee (SDMC) chairman Prasanna, whose son studies in Class 6 at the school, said the change has been uplifting. "We are extremely happy with this concept. The dress gives our children confidence and a sense of dignity," he said.

Block education officer TR Swamy praised the effort, noting that the school has succeeded in creating a positive and holistic learning environment.