Udupi: It was an emotional moment for Jayanthi Shetty, vice-principal of Govt Pre-University College, Shiroor (high school section), when Byndoor MLA Gururaj Gantihole visited the campus on Saturday, not for a routine inspection, but to personally recognise her efforts. In a rare gesture, the MLA sought her blessings and felicitated her after the school’s SSLC pass percentage increased from 35% last year to an impressive 94% this year.Jayanthi told TOI that out of 53 students who appeared for the SSLC exams this year, 50 passed, including two distinctions and 29 first classes. The previous year’s pass percentage dropped to 35%. She said during the 2023-24 academic year, several slow learners were made to repeat a class, which impacted the overall results the previous year.“However, last year, we decided to promote all students to Class 10 and focus on improving their performance,” she said. To ensure close monitoring, Jayanthi even shifted her residence to Shiroor, as she was earlier commuting nearly 75 km one way from Udupi. She took charge as the vice-principal of this school in Oct, 2024.“We identified slow learners and formed small groups, with each teacher adopting a set of students. The school has eight teachers. Many of our students come from economically weaker sections, and from the Daldi Muslim community. They speak a form of Konkani, so their Kannada is relatively weak, though they are comfortable in English and Hindi,” she said.Science teacher held classes till 5.30 pmJayanthi, a science teacher, personally conducted classes until 5.30 pm every day, while teachers also visited students’ homes and interacted with parents to ensure consistent support. These combined efforts led to a significant improvement in results.The school currently has a total strength of 151 students. The MLA, who was disappointment over last year’s results, was closely monitoring progress through meetings and reviews.“I was surprised to see the MLA and assumed it was a routine visit. I was shocked when he sat on the floor and bowed to seek my blessings before felicitating me. It feels good that our efforts have been recognised. The MLA has been giving special focus to education in the region,” she said.A teacher deserves recognition: MLALast year, the SSLC results in Byndoor block were disappointing and pulled down the district’s overall performance. During a review meeting, I realised that no one was willing to take responsibility. I sternly made it clear that education must be valued and that such results were unacceptable. Jayanthi Shetty was just transferred then, and though she was not responsible for the decline, she was deeply affected. What stood out was what she did next. She moved to Shiroor, immersed herself in the students’ progress, MLA Gururaj Gantihole said.A teacher is always a teacher, when they do exceptional work, it deserves recognition, he said, adding teachers are our guides.
