Schools in DK dist ready to welcome students today

Mangaluru: Schools in Dakshina Kannada district, including government, aided and unaided ones, are all set to reopen from Monday. The schools have made elaborate arrangements to welcome students on the first day of the academic year, which is celebrated as ‘Shala Prarambhotsava.’
Since Saturday, the schools are being cleaned and staff, locals and SDMC members will welcome the students in government schools on Monday.
The SDMC members, parents and locals had been engaged in ‘shramadan; for the past two days, by cleaning the school premises to welcome children back on campus. Virupaksha H N, BEO, Belthangady, said that this academic year has been declared as ‘Kalika Chetarike’ or learning recovery year for students of classes I to IX. The programme will be held throughout the year.
“Primary and high school teachers, have been trained to conduct the programme. The handbook and worksheets are ready,” he said.
Meanwhile, SDMC members and teachers will address parents on the importance of reopening the school in advance this year.
The Midday Meal programme will be introduced from day one this academic year, and to celebrate the reopening of school, children will be served a sweet dish on Monday, an official said.
DDPI Sudhakar K said that meetings with school heads have been held, ahead of reopening. None of the schools is facing water issues.
For the first two weeks, extra-curricular and academic-related activities titled ‘Malebillu,’ will be conducted for children.
Book banks to help
students
The district has received about 40%-50% supply of textbooks for the new academic year. The distribution of textbooks started two days ago.
In order to help students to continue their studies, a book bank programme has been launched. Puttur BEO Lokesh C said, “We have collected books from 47,000 students, studying in class I to the SSLC level, at the end of the last academic year. The same will be distributed among students in Puttur, as the supply of textbooks has been delayed.”