Thiruvananthapuram: As classrooms once again echoed with the chatter of students and the ring of school bells, Kerala began a new academic year on Monday after the summer vacation. Schools across the state reopened amid colourful celebrations organised as part of ‘Praveshanolsavam’.
Teachers welcomed new students into brightly decorated classrooms with warm smiles while greeting returning students. Decorative crowns were placed on the children, some excited, some a little hesitant, but all eager to begin the new academic year. The rhythmic beats of chenda melam and cheerful music filled school halls, setting a festive tone for the year ahead.
The state-level inauguration was held at the Government Model Girls Higher Secondary School, Pattom, Thiruvananthapuram. Chief Minister V D Satheesan inaugurated the function, while General Education Minister N Samsudheen presided over the programme. The Education Minister announced that more than 3.14 lakh students had enrolled in schools across the state this academic year. Health and Devaswom Minister K Muraleedharan, Transport Minister C P John, along with other public representatives and personalities from the fields of art, culture and education, also participated in the celebrations.
Preparations for the festival had included an expanded organising committee meeting at the Pattom school, inaugurated by Corporation Councillor Reshma P and chaired by Additional Director of General Education Santosh C A. Teachers’ organisations, Samagra Shiksha Kerala, political parties, voluntary organisations, cultural activists, education experts, government officials, AEOs, BPCs, PTA and SMC members, headmasters, teachers, alumni and youth groups took part in the discussions.
A 101-member organising committee had been constituted for the event, with Thiruvananthapuram Mayor V V Rajesh as chairman, Education Standing Committee chairman Chempazhanthy Udayan as vice chairman, and Sreeja Gopinath as general convener.
With schools reopening, a large number of students are expected to commute across the state. To ensure their safety during peak hours, the Motor Vehicles Department (MVD) has imposed restrictions on tipper lorry operations in various districts.
