Schools to welcome students to new academic year today

More than three lakh students are expected to join class 1 when schools reopen for the new academic year on Thursday

More than three lakh students are expected to join class 1 when schools reopen for the new academic year on Thursday.

Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan will inaugurate the State-level Pravesanotsavam that marks the school reopening at Government Vocational Higher Secondary School, Malayinkeezhu, at 10 a.m. The inaugural will be telecast to all schools through KITE Victers channel.

Minister for General Education V. Sivankutty will preside. Transport Minister Antony Raju and Food and Civil Supplies Minister G.R. Anil and Leader of the Opposition V.D. Satheesan will also take part in the function.

The celebrations will also be held at school level in the presence of people’s representatives and cultural leaders.

Finance Minister K.N. Balagopal will inaugurate the district-level Pravesanotsavam at Sankaramangalam, Kollam; Health Minister Veena George at Kadammanitta, Pathanamthitta; Cooperation Minister V.N. Vasavan at Thalayolaparambu, Kottayam; Water Resources Minister Roshy Augustine at Vazhathope, Idukki; Agriculture Minister P. Prasad at Pollathai, Alappuzha; Industries Minister P. Rajeev at Ernakulam; Devaswom Minister K. Radhakrishnan at Thrissur; Local Self Governments Minister M.B. Rajesh at Malampuzha, Palakkad; Sports Minister V. Abdurahiman at Kalpakanchery, Malappuram; Tourism Minister P.A. Mohamed Riyas at Kozhikode; I.C. Balakrishnan, MLA, at Wayanad; V. Sivadasan, MP, at Kannur; and Ports Minister Ahammad Devarkovil in Kasaragod. Higher Education Minister R. Bindu and Revenue Minister K. Rajan will inaugurate the celebrations at various schools in Thrissur.

Mr. Sivankutty had earlier said that arrangements were in place for the start of the new academic year. As much as 95% of school books and uniforms had been distributed, he had said. The government plans to give special emphasis to tackle the problem of substance abuse among children in the new academic year. The anti-drug ‘Janajagratha Samitis’ will be expanded to all schools.