Mangaluru: The Govt Upgraded Higher Primary School, Haleneranki in Kadaba taluk, is celebrating 100 years of service in education with a revitalised learning environment and new infrastructure.The school was founded in 1923 by the Neranki Guthu family and was later handed over to the taluk board in 1925. The school became a higher primary school in 1962. In 2007, with the introduction of class VIII, it became an upgraded higher primary school. Once operating from a modest structure, the institution now spans nearly two acres with multiple classrooms, a well-developed playground, a computer education facility, a drinking water system, adequate sanitation, a structured library, and regular cultural and academic activities. The school now serves over 150 students. With over Rs 1 crore raised through CSR, donations, and other sources in just one year, Haleneranki has rewritten the story of what community-driven public education can achieve. Every teacher contributed donations over Rs 1 lakh. As part of the centenary celebration, two new classrooms were built, while additional support from the Sherwin-Williams Company equipped a computer lab and library. The three-day centenary event commenced on Friday.Santappa Y Gowda, headmaster of the school, said that despite the mushrooming of English medium schools, the Haleneranki school continues to thrive with a good number of students. It has about six teachers, including the headmaster. “In order to attract more students in the coming years, we have upgraded our infrastructure. We are hopeful for more admissions,” he added.Ramesh Rai Ramajalu, president of the School Centenary Celebration Committee, said that as part of the centenary celebrations, development works worth more than Rs 1 crore have been completed at the school. These include a state-of-the-art auditorium in memory of Lakshmi Kariyappa Rai, new classrooms through MRPL CSR funds, a girls’ restroom funded by the gram panchayat, art-based classroom interiors, a fully equipped computer lab, a modern library, and a landscaped garden.One of the most significant academic milestones is the introduction of an English-medium section, fulfilling a long-pending aspiration of the locals. The school will begin English-medium instruction from the next academic year, he added.
