IAS Divya Prabhu G.R.J. efforts to Improve Education Quality and Infrastructure in Dharwad

IAS officer Divya Prabhu G.R.J. belongs to the 2014 batch officer and is currently serving as the District Collector of Dharwad, Karnataka. She has been recognized for her exemplary work with the Best DC Award, the Clean City Swachh Survekshan Award, and the National Award for Best Electoral Practices.

Prabhu’s dream project focuses on improving education in terms of both quality and infrastructure. “I believe that through education, change can be brought to society. Therefore, we need to improve the quality of education, the infrastructure supporting it, and access to proper education,” she said.

To address these challenges, she has launched an initiative called Mission Vidyakashi under her leadership. Explaining the name, she said, “Dharwad is historically known as Vidyakashi because it is the central hub of Karnataka, home to major educational institutions, numerous hostels, and schools.” She further elaborated on the initiative's focus, saying, “We assess educational quality based on results. Unfortunately, Dharwad has consistently ranked in the bottom 10 districts in the state over the past few years.”

Mission Vidyakashi aims to leverage Dharwad’s academic resources, including institutions like IIT Dharwad, to inspire and support local students. “These institutions are located here, but the representation of students from Dharwad remains very low,” she noted. Additionally, CSR initiatives are being utilized to bridge the gap in educational infrastructure, ensuring better facilities for students.

Additionally, students are categorized based on baseline assessments to provide special support. “Each student has unique learning needs. By offering special classes, customized study materials, and skill-building exercises, we are improving learning outcomes. Our focus is on both underperforming students and high achievers to help them excel further,” she shared.

To complement these efforts, workshops and training programs are also being conducted for teachers.

Looking ahead, Prabhu plans to hold motivational sessions with the district’s top-performing 20-25 students every 15 days. “This program, called Vidyarthi Beḷaku, meaning Light for Students, aims to clarify their doubts, and build their confidence,” she explained.