Tiruvannamalai govt schools to get guidelines for ‘annual day’

Stating that the booklet was under preparation and that it would reach all school heads in a few days’ time, CEO V Jayakumar said, “While it is normal for such [school day] functions to be held during the third term in private institutions, it is never undertaken in government schools, with school heads citing various reasons to avoid it.”

Mentioning that schools will be advised to conduct such annual functions either in the first or second term, the CEO reasoned that institutions will be otherwise busy with annual examination preparation in the third term.

Elaborating on the move to encourage such programmes in schools, Jayakumar said, “Whenever I visit schools and ask a student to speak in front of an audience or with a mike, they either baulk or refuse as they have never had such an exposure. If ‘school day’ functions are conducted, it will help to bring out the hidden talents even in poor learners, which in turn will help to reduce stress.”

When asked the reason for such programmes not being undertaken in government schools, the CEO said, “Conducting such a function will cost around Rs. 2 lakh, and since funds are not easily granted by the State government, school headmasters take the easy way out by eschewing such a function altogether.”

While mentioning that the booklet will advise schools to approach local NGOs and philanthropists for funds to conduct such functions, Jayakumar added, “As such functions in rural areas will ensure the attendance of villagers, it is also a chance for the public to learn about the steps taken by the government to increase school attendance and understand the facilities available in government schools-which in many cases are on a par with private schools in Tiruvannamalai”.