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KV Ongole: Neglected once, but most sought after now
It is darkest before the dawn, is the apt line that would relate to the Kendriya Vidyalaya in Ongole. The school, which was neglected by the locals and is known for its unclean, messy location and which once turned into a pigs pen by evening, now requires recommendations from union ministers for admission.
It is darkest before the dawn, is the apt line that would relate to the Kendriya Vidyalaya in Ongole. The school, which was neglected by the locals and is known for its unclean, messy location and which once turned into a pigs pen by evening, now requires recommendations from union ministers for admission.
The central government started the Kendriya Vidyalaya in Ongole, 10 years ago. The building at that time was still under construction and so the state government allotted a portion of PVR Boys High School to carry on admissions. This year, Kendriya Vidyalaya received about 1500 applications just for LKG. The school has just 80 seats, including 60 seats for offering to the central and state government employees in Ongole.
For the remaining 20 seats, the parents went so far and brought recommendations from state and union ministers and senior IAS and IPS officers in the state. It was a change that was planned for years and dawned upon Ongole Kendraiya Vidyalaya. The government allotted 5 acres of land in housing board colony for the construction of the school.
The proposal gained momentum when Chelli Prasada Rao, a native of Ongole and former student of PVR Boys High School took charge as Principal of the Kendriya Vidyalaya. He said, “I have purposefully chosen Ongole when they asked me to select Ongole or Hyderabad as choice for transfer. I am happy to work as principal in the same premises where I was once thrown out for belonging to a downtrodden caste.
Then a teacher supported me to join the school and I wanted to support students in the same way to give them the best atmosphere they needed. But, tears roll out when I see the pathetic condition of the school running in PVR Boys High School. So, I started working on the school construction project and completed more than one year before the scheduled time.”
The students of Ongole KV used to participate in Kho, Chess, Archery, Throw Ball, Volley Ball and Sepak Takraw and have history of best performances. The Principal encouraged them and provided the atmosphere to shine more. Now, the school has about 40 medalists in state and national level championships.
Prasada Rao says, “We regularly encourage our students to participate in sports meets, cultural fests, exhibitions being conducted by other Kendriya Vidyalayas as well as the government institutions. The Kendriya Vidyalayas provides best education from childhood. We now have about 1450 students and all of them are showing interest in one or more extracurricular activities and we are encouraging them. After all marks only doesn’t mean education.”
Now, the Kendriya Vidyalaya has a vast and modern building constructed with Rs. 1.17 crores, staff quarters with Rs. 2.70 crores in 5 acre space, including a big play ground. The school also has 100 percent of pass record with nearly 20percent of students scoring above 9GPA.
