Kochi set for Praveshanolsavam

KOCHI: The countdown for school reopening has commenced with eager and wary tiny tots expressing mixed reactions. The  city is all set for the ‘Praveshanolsavam’ to give the first timers a warm welcome.This year Ernakulam district has been chosen to host ‘Praveshanolsavam’. Though each school will celebrate ‘Praveshanolsavam’, the official launch will be held at Ernakulam Government Girls High School on June 4. Education Minister Abdu Rabb will inaugurate the programme. District Collector Sheik Pareeth will flag off the procession at Durbar Hall Ground at 9 am in which 1500 students from 10 schools in the city are expected to participate.The procession is expected to reach the Girls High school by 10 am, said authorities of Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan.   Director of Public Instruction A Shajahan will welcome the gathering. This will also be a platform for the launch of many education initiatives.To create more awareness on RTE Act, a 38-page booklet will be released. They will be distributed to headmasters and PTA heads of each school. Panels on RTE Act will also be released. The year-long programme will have each school putting up flex boards displaying the salient features of RTE Act.  Children’s health programme will also be launched in which routine health check-up will be conducted in coordination with health officials. The distribution of teachers’ grant will also be inaugurated.As part of World Environment Day on June 5, state-level distribution of saplings to be planted will also be inaugurated. Photo ID card distribution for recognised school bus drivers will be launched. Later, Abdu Rabb will distribute sweets and kits to students and the ceremony is expected to conclude by 2 pm, said sources.Ministers, MLAs, Mayor Tony Chammany, Deputy Mayor Bhadra, District panchayat president Eldose Kunnappally, district standing committee chairman, and Ernakulam deputy director of education M D Murali and other officials are expected to participate.