Mangaluru
Students from 77 government schools in Dakshina Kannada are deprived of playing outside, as their campuses have no playgrounds. Parents and students have complained that this is affecting their physical and holistic growth. Some of the reasons for not having a playground are land issues, and laxity on the part of the administration to develop a playground, even when there is availability of land for the same, and establishing a school without foresight of its growth.
Shambhu Shankar, a teacher in Belthangady taluk, said that at least an acre is required for a playground to be able to host sports activities. When some government schools started in a village or town, they did not expect the school to grow in terms of admissions. These schools were started on a small patch of land, either donated by an individual or allocated by the government. As the school grew with additional infrastructure, they did not have enough land for playgrounds. These schools can have playgrounds, which can be created by utilising the MGNREG scheme, added Shankar.
Another senior teacher said that the government needs to look into land encroachments around school property. As there is no chance for playing outdoors, teachers are forced to engage their students in indoor activities. While a school without a playground can suffice for children up to grade five, through indoor activities, students in higher grades need access to a sports ground, a teacher said.Government schools with no playgrounds use public playgrounds for sports activities, said DR Naik, DDPI, Dakshina Kannada. Usually funds are allocated to undertake civil works on school campuses, and not for playgrounds. This could be why some schools have no playgrounds, despite the availability of space, he said, adding that they have received only one complaint of land encroachment.
