City schools all set to welcome back students

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Schools in the city are in the final stages of completing works to welcome back students. Fresh coats of paint and neatly arranged desks are indicators of a larger cleaning drive carried out in all schools focusing primarily on maintenance works and tidying up the school premises, classrooms, toilet facilities and water tanks for a new academic year.
Under the Haritha Vidyalayam Suchitva Vidyalayam campaign, schools are placing importance on maintaining a clean and green campus this year. “We are planning on conducting various activities this year through the different clubs like the health and eco club to raise awareness about waste management and to reduce the use of plastic,” said K Lailas, principal of Government Model Girls HSS, Pattom.
The Government Model School, Thycaud, has a week-long celebration planned around the theme of World Environment Day on June 5. It includes an exhibition, puppet show, documentary presentation, camps in collaboration with the green army and sessions led by Malayalam Pallikoodam.
In addition to routine cleaning drives, the school faculty and staff are busy laying the ground for the coming year’s farming activities. “It has been a few years since we started our farming activities on school premises. With the concept of including more leafy vegetables in the meals for children, we were able to grow around 10 varieties of spinach last year," says Shaji M, principal of the school.
The fitness certificates for most schools have been handed over in early May. Book distributions too are almost over for all classes. “We have held separate meetings with the parents discussing the start of a new academic year. The idea is to organise more awareness classes regarding aspects like anti-ragging, drug abuse and cyber security as well as career guidance and counselling sessions," said Greeshma V, principal of Cotton Hill Girls HSS School.