Several pre-university students across the State went to college on Sunday to attend the first spoken English and English grammar class.
The huge turn out, particularly from students in rural areas, was a pleasant surprise for lecturers as well as Department of Pre-University Education (DPUE) officials.
Over 1.05 lakh students attended the class on Sunday at 200 centres in district and taluk headquarters. The highest turn out was in Tumakuru district, where nearly 9,000 students attended the class.
The programme, which is optional for students, will be conducted for the next 24 Sundays. C. Shikha, director of the DPUE, said the aim of the programme was to help hone the English speaking skills of students and prepare them for higher education.
The department has also invited retired lecturers and lecturers from private PU colleges to take part in the programme. Lecturers who take part in the programme will be given ₹500 per Sunday for conducting classes.