Following a weather forecast report by the Andhra Pradesh State Disaster Management Authority, Guntur, that heatwave conditions will prevail from Wednesday (June 12) to June 16 (Sunday), it has been decided to run schools for half day on these days.
In a circular issued by the School Education Department on Tuesday, Regional Joint Directors of the department and District Education Officers (DEOs) of the 13 districts have been asked to ensure that schools operate from 8.30 a.m. to 12.30 p.m. from Wednesday to Saturday (June 15). The ‘Rajanna Badi Bata’ programme will be implemented from June 12 to 15, and from June 17, schools will function for full day.
Festivities
Education Minister A. Suresh on Tuesday directed officials of the Education Department to execute ‘Rajanna Badi Bata’ programme like a festival.
In his maiden video conference, he said a ‘swagata sambaram’ (welcome celebration) would mark the first day, followed by ‘Nandanabhinayam’ to be marked by activities like planting of saplings on the second day and ‘Aksharam’ to be marked by ‘samuhika aksharabhyasam’ and distribution of books and clothes on the third day to culminate into ‘Vandanam-Abhivandanam’, a community lunch programme on the last day.
Mr. Suresh said the village elders, people’s representatives, local donors and people should be made part of this four-day programme. Reports on the programme, along with photographs, should be submitted to the departmental higher-ups, he said.
Comprehensive policy
The Minister said the government was keen on implementing a comprehensive education system by 2024. Officials of the department should constitute committees with experts to head them. He said steps would be taken to regulate fee structure in private educational institutions.
Efforts were on to supply fresh and healthy food to schoolchildren and ₹5,000 was being allocated to every school to develop kitchen gardens.
Amma Vodi
The Minister said, Amma Vodi programme would be implemented from January 26 under which, every mother who would send her children to school would be given a cash incentive of ₹15,000.
He said distribution of uniforms, books and shoes to children should be completed by the time ‘Rajanna Badi Bata’ programme concluded. Those failing to stick to the timeline would be taken to task, he added.