Schools reopen with renewed hope; Minister urges end to mark-based comparisons

School bells rang again as institutions reopened after the summer vacation, bringing fresh energy and renewed hopes to classrooms. The district-level inauguration of the school reopening festival was held at SCG Higher Secondary School, Kottakkal, Mala on Monday, and was officially inaugurated by Youth Welfare and Sports Minister O.J. Janeesh.

Addressing the gathering, the minister stressed that parents should not compare students based on marks. He noted that a student who scores the highest marks does not necessarily become the best individual or citizen. The increasing pressure placed on children due to academic evaluations is a matter of concern, he said, adding that special attention must be given to support and uplift students with learning difficulties.

As part of the symbolic initiation ceremony, the minister introduced the world of letters to first-grade student K.S. Noor Saman by writing ‘Harishree’. He also inaugurated the distribution of study kits by handing them over to another Class 1 student, P.D. Delvin. In connection with the new academic year, the minister also launched the district-level anti-drug campaign titled ‘Tufan’ (The Narco Hunt), initiated by the State police to curb drug activities around schools. As part of the campaign, name slips carrying anti-drug messages will be distributed to students in 500 schools under the Thrissur Rural jurisdiction.

The minister also released a souvenir prepared as part of the golden jubilee celebrations of SCG Higher Secondary School. The school’s first headmistress, C. Janet, was honoured during the function. The block panchayat’s recognition for the school that secured the highest number of A+ grades in the SSLC examination was received by Headmistress C. Grace Maria. K.M. Asmin, who scored a perfect 1,200 out of 1,200 in the Plus Two Bio-Science stream, was also felicitated.

District panchayat president Mary Thomas presided over the function, while SSK District Programme Officer K.B. Briji presented the project details. A total of 1,007 schools in the district, including 226 government schools, 664 aided schools, and 77 unaided schools, organised reopening celebrations on a grand scale.