Over 2,200 government schools in T.N. to hold centenary celebrations

As many as 2,211 government schools across Tamil Nadu will hold their centenary celebrations from Wednesday beginning with a function at the Panchayat Middle School in Thirukkuvalai, where former Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi had studied.

The initiative is being taken under the ‘Vizhuthugal’ platform, an alumni association of government school students. Established a year ago, the association today has over 8.4 lakh members and has mobilised over ₹3.4 crore for the benefit of the schools, according to an official from the School Education Department.

“The association works with the school and community to ensure enrollment, curb dropouts and also give career guidelines. Hence, through the platform a move to recognise schools which have crossed 100 years in the State is undertaken,” the official added.

According to the guidelines issued by the School Education Department, the district-wise inauguration ceremony in the schools will begin from Thursday. These will also be held with the school annual day and are slated to be completed in a month, according to the officials. Thereafter, school-wise centenary celebrations will be held.

A school from each district has been recognised to begin the celebrations such as the Lady Wellington Model Girls Higher Secondary School in Chennai, CCMA Government Girls Higher Secondary School in Coimbatore among others. Madurai district has the highest number of schools with 173 followed by Cuddalore district 158.

Apart from Karunanidhi’s alma mater, other prominent schools include Panchayat Union Middle School, Rameshwaram, the alma mater of former president A.P.J.Abdul Kalam; Thiyagi G Narayanasamy Municipal Higher secondary school Mayiladuthurai, the alma mater of professor Anbazhahan. Further, the Presidency Girls Higher Secondary School in Chennai is the oldest school in Tamil Nadu at 270 years and Government Girls Higher Secondary School Avvai, Dharmapuri, has the highest number of students at 3,209 in the centenary school list.

A festival coordination committee would also be formed at the school-level . The celebrations will include events that will highlight the key milestones of the schools, awards won by alumni among other important initiatives. During the celebrations, any donations received must be recorded on the Namma School Namma Ooru Palli platform, a circular from the department stated.