It was tear-free first day for the 20 toddlers, who joined first standard in English medium at the Vallal Pari Municipal Middle School, a government school here on Wednesday as they were garlanded and taken in a procession with drum beating to the school.
Ever since English medium was introduced in the school in 2013-14, the school authorities received the first batch of students with a difference, helping them overcome the separation anxiety and making the first day, a joyous occasion.
This year, the 11 boys and nine girls were taken in a ceremonial procession after the toddlers and their parents were received at a marriage hall and the teachers, led by D. Esther Veni. “The kids were delighted and jumped in joy as the teachers garlanded them and took them to the school in a procession amid drum beating,” she said.
As they walked down to the school, the children looked perplexed and turned bashful as senior students lined up at the entrance and welcomed them, presenting roses and chocolates. “No child cried and the parents were too happy,” she said.
After Chandrasekaran, District Elementary Education Officer flagged off the procession, Collector S. Natarajan visited the children in the classroom and blessed them with sandal. He also initiated the kids into writing Tamil alphabets in paddy grains, considered auspicious.
The children were all in smiles as teachers smeared sandal paste on their chubby cheeks and sprinkled ‘panneer.’ The children never removed the garlands and their parents were pleasantly surprised to see them in garlands when they came in the evening to take them back home, Ms. Veni said.
“The children are the fifth batch of English medium students and we have been extending this kind of reception since 2013,” she said adding they organised the procession this year to create public awareness about the availability of English medium education in government school.
English medium education in government school helped those who could not afford to admit their wards in private schools after paying hefty donation and admission fees. All the newly admitted children were given free uniforms, books and notebooks, she said.
