School Education Minister KA Sengottaiyan targets enrollment of 1 lakh more students in government schools

Speaking to media in Erode on Sunday, after participating in the ‘bhoomi puja’ for expansion works of a road leading to Pavalamalai Murugan Temple near Gobichettipalayam at a cost of Rs 55 lakh, the Minister said, “I had received reports that one lakh more students will be enrolled in government schools this academic year.” “Government school teachers should come forward to admit their children in government schools. 

However, no one can be compelled and it would be good if they show interest on their own. Currently there is no data on the number of teachers, who have put their children in government schools,” he said in reply to a query if there are any schemes to encourage government teachers to admit their wards in government schools.

Further, the Minister said that smart classrooms will be opened in 3,000 government schools with the support of SRM group of institutions across the state. About 12 schools in Gobichettipalayam will get smart classrooms.

“Students studying classes 9, 10, 11 and 12 will be taught computer with internet facilities to be set up at a cost of Rs 468 crore,” he said.

To encourage more students to join government schools, they are given 14 items as free by the education department.

“Efforts are on to make government schools provide education on a par and above private schools,” he said.

The Minister also said that schools will reopen as planned on June 1 after summer vacation. Class 10 examination results will be declared on May 23. As per the revamped syllabus, classes need to be conducted for 15 more days from the usual 170 days on a yearly basis.

The syllabus has been revamped in such a way to increase interest among students to learn the subjects. Also four new sets of uniforms will be introduced for government school students, he said.