Ernakulam educational sub-district emerged top in the high school category, while North Paravur educational sub-district and Ernakulam shared the first place in the higher secondary section as the curtain came down on the Ernakulam district revenue school arts festival here on Friday.
Aluva educational sub-district came second (326 points), while Perumbavoor was placed in the third position (279 points) in the high school section. Ernakulam won 338 points to emerge top in the point tally.
In the higher secondary section, North Paravur and Ernakulam shared the first position after schools under the educational sub-districts bagged 338 points each. Aluva won 322 points to emerge second, while Perumbavoor bagged 318 points to bag the third position.
Aluva educational sub-district came top in the high school (Sanskrit) category after it won 81 points. North Paravur and Perumbavoor educational sub-districts were tied for the second position at 79 points each. Thripunithura came third after it won 78 points.
Aluva educational sub-district emerged top in the high school (Arabic) category after it won 89 points. Thripunithura was at the second place with 85 points followed by North Paravur in the third position with 83 points.
This edition of the fest will be remembered for how the organisers managed to hold a popular event in a shoe-string budget by cutting down on various expenses.
The decision to do away with fanfare was taken in view of the government resolve to reduce spending on various government-supported arts and film festivals following the devastating floods.
Event days reduced
The number of event days was also axed to three from the earlier five days to check the expenses.
However, the arts festival was not spared of the usual drama over verdicts given by judges in a few events. A section of parents and participants raised their voice against one of the judges of the Kerala Nadanam event on Thursday, alleging that the person had voted in favour of a particular candidate for the first place.
They blocked the vehicle carrying the judges even as the organisers whisked them away.
They were finally allowed to leave the main venue at Government Girl’s HSS, Ernakulam, following talks with officials of the Education Department.
Around 4,900 students in the high school and higher secondary categories participated in the district-level fest.
The winners of various competitions will now be eligible to participate in the State school arts fest to be held in Alappuzha from December 5 to 9.
