Mysuru: Primary and Secondary Education Minister Tanveer Sait inaugurated the Tent School and Library opened for the children of mahouts and kavadis at the Palace premises here yesterday.

Later, speaking, he said that the Mahouts and Kavadis, who have accompanied the Dasara elephants are going to camp for 45 days in the Palace. Even their families have accompanied them. As the children are studying in various tribal hadi schools, it is a practise to open tent schools for them so that they do not miss classes. However, from last year even library facility is being provided, he added.

This year along with the studies, the students will be taught art, drama, music and introduced to equipment being used in practical classes. Even as the Mahouts and Kavadis involve themselves in training the elephants to participate in Dasara procession, the studies of the children go alongside them in the tent school, said Sait.

Mayor M.J. Ravikumar, Deputy Mayor Rathna Lakshman, Zoo Authority Chairperson Mallige Veeresh, Mysore Paints and Varnish Chairman  H.A. Venkatesh, Karnataka Exhibition Authority Chairman B. Siddaraju, Corporator Sunil, MCC Commissioner G. Jagadeesha, Deputy Director of Public Instruction (DDPI) Dr. B.K.S. Vardhan, Mysuru South Block Education Officer K.S. Prakash, City Central Library Deputy Director B. Manjunath and Tent School teacher Noor Fatihma were present.

Tent School, Library: The Tent School has been set up suitably based on the requirement of the children. The syllabus includes maths, leaders of the nation and achievers. Their photographs have also been displayed. This year too, Noor Fathima of the Government Urdu Primary School on Chamaraja Double Road, has been appointed as the teacher.

There are 15 children at present. In a few days when the next batch of elephants arrive, more children will be added. In all, 45 children will be studying in the Tent School.  

The classes will begin at 9.30 am and go on till 1.30 pm. Along with the appointed teacher a few other resource persons will also assist her. At 11 am, the children will be provided light snacks and at 1.30 hot lunch will be served. They will also be given uniforms and learning aids.

The DDPI has promised to teach folk songs to the students.

In the Library opened next to the school, along with books on literature and science there are more than 2,000 books to kindle the young minds. Newspapers will be made available to the children in the library.

Minister Sait turns teacher

Minister Tanveer Sait turned a teacher for a few moments yesterday after inaugurating the Tent School. He squatted on the ground along with the children and posed a few questions to them like when did the country get independence? and do you know Mahatma Gandhi? He explained to the students about the concept of non-violence.

Sait patiently told them that society is full of problems and they should never feel that they are too young to fight them. “You must cultivate the habit of questioning,” he advised them.