Tiruchy Government school’s drive to create ‘green ambassadors’

The Government Higher Secondary School at Onthampatti, a remote village near Vaiyyampatti in Tiruchy district, that has around 200 students on its rolls follows a practice of celebrating the birthday of students in an environmental-friendly way. Two saplings are given to the children on their birthday. They are asked to plant one on the school premises and the other near their homes. 

Earlier, the students of the school had created a record by removing over 1 lakh seemai karuvelam trees. They were also felicitated by the school education director for their participation in the drive. Now, the teachers have gone a step further by motivating students to plant saplings on their birthday and to maintain them till they complete their education in the institution.   

Teachers have taken up the responsibility of purchasing saplings, added the headmaster. “There are 200 students in the school and at least three birthdays are celebrated in a week. Therefore, if three saplings are planted in a week, the number will work out to at least 150-200 in a year,” said Durairaj, the headmaster. 

Durairaj said, “The programme will not only inculcate love for nature in students but also  bring back green memories of their school life,” the 

headmaster said.

Thursday (June 8) turned out to be the birthday of two students - Christuraj and Sasi Rekha – and each of them were given two saplings. “Initially we will remind them to water the plant and monitor its growth. In due course, they themselves will take care of the sapling,” said Durairaj.