Impressive diversity

The BEA has taken remarkable initiatives in the field of general and basic education.

AMONG the institutes for basic and general education (arts, commerce, science and law) run by the Bapuji Educational Association (BEA), the Dharmaratnakara Rajanahalli Maddurayappa (DRM) Science College takes pride of place.

The foundation stone for the college was laid in 1947 by Sir A. Ramaswami Mudaliar, Dewan of the princely State of Mysore, and the institution was initially run under the aegis of Mysore University. But in 1958, following popular demand, it was handed over to the BEA.

According to Shakunthala, the Principal, the grant-in-aid college has a hallowed heritage. "In 1958, when the Association converted the then Government Intermediate College into a first-grade Arts, Science and Commerce College, it was the only college in and around Davangere and it catered to the needs of all people, especially those in rural areas. Even today, 60 to 70 per cent of our students come from the rural areas. We have celebrated our silver jubilee in January 2000 and in March 2001 we were accredited with `three star' status by the National Assessment and Accreditation Council of the University Grants Commission (UGC). What is more creditable is that we went through with the accreditation process voluntarily."

Shakunthala, who is the first woman Principal of the Institute, said that the college concentrated on basic education in the Sciences. Prof. K.S. Eshwarappa, Head of the Department of English, added: "All our departments have independent wings, spacious classrooms and well-equipped laboratories. The infrastructure of our laboratories is about the best in the university and enables students to achieve skills in experimental sciences."

The college has 1,249 students and 22 permanent teachers, four of whom have doctorates. New courses have been started in subjects such as electronics, computer science and microbiology. The college has a well-equipped library, which has around 25,000 books and journals. Its alumni include persons such as economist Dr. D.M. Nanjundappa, former Karnataka Chief Minister J.H. Patel, Bangalore University Vice-Chancellor K. Sidappa and literary personality Dr. Chidananda Murthy.

In 1973, for logistical reasons, the college was bifurcated. The Arts and Commerce faculties were handed over to the newly formed Ajjampura Rangaswamy Govindaswamy (ARG) College of Arts and Commerce. The ARG College imparts education to both intermediate and under-graduate students. It has 1,583 students and a faculty that has 21 permanent and 53 non-permanent teachers.

According to Dr. C.S. Shamalambika, Principal, ARG College, besides the three-year Bachelor of Commerce and Bachelor of Arts courses, the college runs a Bachelor of Business Management (BBM) course. She said: "Vocational courses in subjects such as taxation and banking are part of the BBM course. Students are sent for practical training and we keep ourselves attuned to the changing needs of students from rural areas, of whom we have a sizable number. The intake of the BBM course is 60, but given the demand (around 300 applications are received every year), especially from girl students, we have taken special permission from the university for 20 additional seats." Its library has around 35,000 books. The college runs a 150-bed hostel exclusively for Scheduled Caste students.

Another BEA institute that imparts basic education is the MSB Arts and Commerce College, which was started in 1983. The college has 740 students and a faculty that includes 12 permanent and 18 part-time teachers. Principal Dr. A.B. Parameswarappa said: "While jobs in the government sector are coming down, opportunities are opening up in multinational companies and in the Indian private sector. We should expose students to new technologies, languages and interests. What use is a B.A. to a rural student? Why not teach him horticulture or vermiculture in order to help him supplement his agricultural income?" Under his guidance a number of `self-help' groups have been set up, mainly to train rural youth.

In the current academic year, the BEA started a junior college (its fourth) at the MSB College campus to teach science subjects. At present there are 35 students, but the number is expected to go up to 80 next year.

The BEA is a pioneer in the sphere of girls' education in the region. In 1966, the Association started the AVK College for Women, which conducts courses at both the under-graduate and intermediate levels.

In 1997, the BEA started the Bapuji Girls High school, which currently has 260 students. The Association also runs nursery schools, primary schools and high schools. In 1975, it started the BEA Central Higher Primary School. This co-educational school conducts classes from the nursery level up to the seventh standard, and has over 1,200 pupils. The annual fees collected vary between Rs.34 for children learning in the Kannada medium to Rs.334 for those in the English medium classes. The school lays emphasis on making students computer literate.

In 1995, the Association started the Bapuji High School, which, since June 1997, has secured permanent recognition from the State government's Education Department.

Kassal S. Vittal, chairman of the school said: "We have been getting 100 per cent results year after year. And it is not just in studies that our students are diligent. They saved their pocket money and contributed towards the building of a kitchen block in the school."

The Association also runs the BEA College of Education, which offers B.Ed and M.Ed courses. Located on the Bapuji High School campus, the institute, which was started in 1980, has 100 and 38 seats for the B.Ed. and M.Ed. courses respectively.

The Association's R.L. Law College which was set up in 1968, caters to the region's need for graduate-level education in law. One of the first law colleges to be set up in the private sector in Karnataka, R.L. Law College offers a five-year LLB course, which can be pursued after intermediate education (Plus Two) and a three-year LLB course, which can be taken up by graduates. Both courses are recognised by the Bar Council of India. While the three-year course is affiliated to Kuvempu University, the five-year course is awaiting affiliation. The college has around 440 students 240 and 200 for the three- and five-year courses respectively and four full-time Professors and 20 part-time teachers.