School educational tours are back after a gap of two years

Mangaluru: Aided and unaided schools in the region have this year resumed organising educational tours that were stopped due to the pandemic. The educational tours, field visits or excursions are generally conducted between October and January. Schools organise a day-long trip or tour for three-four days.
All the schools must get permission before conducting tours. If the trips are conducted within the state, then permission must be obtained from the jurisdictional block education officer, and if the students would be travelling outside the state, approval from the deputy director of public instruction (DDPI) is necessary.
“So far, 30 schools have sought permission for tours and field trips. Some schools are organising tours to Mysuru, Bengaluru, and Kerala. A few schools have already completed tours for this academic year. Due to Covid-19, tours were not held after 2020,” said BEO South HR Eshwara.
Mysuru, Kodagu, and Bengaluru are preferred destinations for long-distance tours. One-day excursions are mostly to Udupi, Pilikula Nisargadhama, and other nearby places. A school in Talapady is planning to take students to an amusement park in Kerala.
Sister Preethi George, headmistress, St Mary‘s English Medium School, Laila, Belthangady taluk, told TOI that every year they take grade 10 students on a tour. “Last week, 67 out of 73 students participated in a three-day tour to Mysuru and Bengaluru after seeking permission from parents. It was a memorable experience for children, who will move out of the school this academic year,” she said.
Meanwhile, Sister Melissa, principal, Mount Carmel Central School said they will resume taking children on day-long field trips to local places this year.