May 30 marked the commencement of the new academic year for most schools in Dakshina Kannada and Udupi districts. Schools run by private managements reopened after the summer break on previous day.
Children and older students could be seen enthusiastically moving towards their respective schools and classrooms eager to begin their first day of the academic year. Being directed to officially begin teaching of lessons on June 1 in schools, the Department of Education has however issued a circular to the heads of schools to reopen them on May 30 itself and begin necessary preparations.
It is learnt that in some rural areas of the coastal districts students returned home after closed doors of the schools welcomed them.
It has been decided that once teachers are done with their preparations the reopening would be held in a grand fashion. The department has come forward to welcome the new students and celebrate the first day in a meaningful manner. In this view, the school premises and buildings would be cleaned and arranged on the first day.
The department has also informed the schools to distribute sweets ceremoniously among the students on the first day. The heads of School Monitoring and Development Committee, local elders, community members and students along with their parents have been invited to participate in the reopening. The teachers have also been instructed to see to it that the students wishing to join Class 1 and Class 6 should have a pleasant time, so that the newcomers would not perceive any wrong notions about the school.
Officials in the education department have informed that none of the schools were in a position to be closed. All schools under the government would run as before, they said.
It is also equally important for officials to conduct surprise visits at schools between May 30 and Jane 8 to ensure their proper reopening and functioning.
The department has also taken steps to ensure that textbooks will be dispatched through block education officers (BEOs) before classes commence. In all, there is demand for over 7.5 lakh textbooks in Dakshina Kannada. The district education officer has informed that measures were being taken to ensure that textbooks reached schools before the start of the academic year.
Parents and students also have geared up for the new academic year, with the purchase of new school bags, uniforms and books. Apart from these, new rainy shoes, umbrellas and raincoats have also made their way into the list of purchases for students as monsoons are due.
Various shops and outlets selling books, umbrellas and rain-gear in Mangalore and Udupi are seen bustling with families making purchases to equip their children for the new academic year.
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