The Kayyur-Cheemeni grama panchayat has launched a sustained campaign to lure more students to the government and aided schools, in an attempt to strengthen the public education system.
The panchayat has convened special grama sabhas in all its 16 wards to attract more students, especially those studying in primary section, in unaided private schools, by highlighting the efforts being initiated by government schools to improve the quality of education there. The meetings were attended by 3,000-odd persons, grama panchayat president K. Sakunthala said.
A survey by the panchayat found that of the 3,541 students in the 3 to 15 age group in the panchayat limits, 354 were studying on unaided schools. The authorities distributed pamphlets highlighting the academic excellence achieved by the government schools in recent years.
The panchayat has formed around 50 special squads consisting of local body representatives, teachers, and parents who would go on a door-to-door campaign.
The special grama sabhas were addressed by Neeleswaram block panchayat president V.P. Janki, grama panchayat president K. Shakunthala, district panchayat members Jose Pathalil, P.C. Subaida besides representatives of local bodies and Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan district project officer P.P. Venugopal.
The panchyat is now bracing up to convene a Vidyabhyasa Janasabha by May end to declare the formal admission of the students enrolled as part of the special drive.
