Schoolchildren break from class in traditional kuteeras

By: Deepth Sanjiv

MANGALURU: Government primary schools in Karkala, Udupi, are now creating their own traditional breakout space - thatched-roof kuteeras or huts where students gather for recreational learning and take up innovative activities on bagless days.



The kuteeras are the brainchild of Karkala block education officer GS Shashidhar, who introduced the concept in Puttur five years ago. "Initially, we were hesitant and not sure if the idea would be accepted by the school heads and School Development and Monitoring Committee (SDMC)," said Santhosh Kumar Shetty, block resource person and nodal officer. "But, 10 kuteeras have already been inaugurated and more schools are showing interest. Students are demanding that regular classes also be held there."

The project is being taken up under 'Enklena Permeda Swarna Karla' which is part of Karkala MLA V Sunil Kumar's pet project, 'Swarna Karkala Swachh Karkala'. The department aims to build kuteeras in 31 schools this year. While 10 kuteeras have been inaugurated, 11 are all set for inauguration and seven are under construction. Schools have embraced the novel concept and variously named the huts 'Jnana Kuteera', 'Lokpriya Sauharda Kuteera', 'Panchavati', 'Parampara', 'Vanasiri Mitra' and 'Varna Vatika'.

At the kuteeras, students learn pottery, Tulunadu paddanas, craft, dance and take part in other co-curricular activities. It is also the venue for bagless day observed on Saturdays when students set aside textbooks and take up activities instead. Meetings of the education department are also held in the kuteeras now. Deputy commissioner G Jagadeesha recently visited a kuteera at the Shivapura school.

Building a kuteera costs Rs 15,000 to Rs 20,000 but a few local residents have invested more money to embellish the centres, given the interest among students and teachers. Of the 198 primary schools in the taluk, 138 are government schools. The SKDRDP has also come forward to help build the huts with a distinct Tulunadu aesthetic.

"These kuteeras highlight the traditional educational system that is the gurukul system of education. The schools are expected to follow a guideline and as far as possible avoid use of cement and modern equipment," said Shetty. "Most of the huts have retained traditional mud flooring coated with cow dung. No modern furniture is placed. Kuteeras are being built with the help of locals and SDMCs who are providing material and volunteering to build them. The idea is to introduce children to local tradition and culture and introduce locals to the government school and its activities. This way, the school is able to build a bond with society," he said.