When students wept for teacher who took a transfer

When students wept for teacher who took a transfer

S Bhuvaneshwari TNN

Bengaluru:  05.12.2021

Emotions ran high at government higher primary school in Lakkuru of Nelamangala taluk in Bengaluru Rural on Friday as tearyeyed kids pleaded with their teacher, who took a transfer to another institution, to stay back. The teacher, though overwhelmed, expressed helplessness as he had to live close to his aged parents.

With a heavy heart, the children bid adieu to their beloved tutor Gangamallaiah C. He had applied for transfer to a school near his native village and his request was approved.

Gangamallaiah had been working at the Lakkuru school, which has a strength of 124, since 2014 and taught Kannada and social science to students of classes 1-8.

School headmaster Venkatesh N said: “Gangamallaiah used to take care of his students at an individual level. He used to come to school on his two-wheeler and pick up kids on the way if they were unable to reach the institution for some reason.”

He added: “If he was on leave, he used to tell me to pick up the students from Madenahalli near Dobbaspete and would call to remind me so that they don’t miss classes.”

The children too were attached to him. Venkatesh said: “Without telling the students, we (staff members) gave Gangamallaiah a farewell last Wednesday. After the students learnt he was transferred to another school, they requested me to call him and tell him to meet them on Friday.”

When Gangamallaiah came visiting, the kids cried and requested him not to leave them. Class 7 student Harshitha N told STOI: “If we didn’t come to school, he would call our parents to know the reason. We liked his teaching and moral stories.” Class 8 student Sumayya chipped in: “He never allowed our parents to scold or beat us. In fact, he would even guide them if they had any problem.”

The students said they’ll miss Gangamallaiah as he took care of them even more than their parents.

Gangamallaiah said: “After witnessing the love and affection of my students, I’m happy that I became a teacher. Due to poverty, some brilliant kids used to work with their parents to support them financially. I used to go to their houses and convince such parents to send their children to school.”

TEARFUL ADIEU: Students of the government higher primary school in Lakkuru of Nelamangala bid farewell to their teacher