Lukewarm attendance on school reopening

Students were seen enthusiastically walking towards the schools fully dressed in uniforms and bags after a long summer vacation, in Mandya on Monday.

With the schools reopening across the state on May 30 for the academic year 2011-12, there was festive atmosphere in the school premises, with the children themselves decorating the door frames with buntings.

But the attendance was not as expected on the first day of the school. There were many parents enquiring about the new admission for high school and higher primary schools.

The Government Higher Primary School on R P Road wore a festive look with the students themselves decorating the school with buntings and other items ably supported by the teachers.

Though there were repeated instructions by the department of education explaining about the reopening on May 28 and teachers to prepare the time-table well in advance, there was not much response at some schools.

Textbooks were distributed to the students at Arakeshwara Higher Primary School on the first day of the school. There was 45 per cent recorded on the first day and sweets were prepared for the mid day meal to welcome the new academic year.

Chamarajanagar

 The students are yet to emerge from the vacation mood in Chamarajanagar, gone by the poor attendance in the schools. There was only 25 per cent overall attendance recorded in the government schools in the district.

Some schools had geared up to welcome the students after a long holiday of two months by decorating their premises. But still some children were seen playing on the road extending their holidays.

There were colourful rangolis and buntings to attract them at some schools on the first day. The students at Yalandur, Hanur, Ramapura, Yariyur, Chinapura Mole and border areas were seen distributing sweet boondis and kesaribath to celebrate the occasion.

The scene was different at Santhemarahalli hobli where the teachers were waiting for the students. Preparations were done to provide mid-day meals at all the schools from the first day itself.

Books were distributed at some schools across the taluk in the presence of parents and elected representatives.

Speaking to the paper, Deputy Director of Public Instructions B A Rajashekar said that despite teachers being directed to be present at the schools three days earlier and make the necessary preparations to attract the children, the attendance is very low on the first day.

It may take another three or four days for the complete attendance, he opined.
Voluntary organisations have been identified to bring back the 737 students who have dropped out of the school. They would go to the doorstep of every house and convince them to return to the schools, he added.