The hallowed precincts of the old Assembly here on Tuesday witnessed the leadership prowess and communication skills of students. A mock Assembly session was organised by the Student Police Cadet as part of an exercise to create awareness among students of the functioning of the top legislative body in the State.
The session was held in a manner how the Assembly proceedings ought to be conducted. Everything went as per the rule book and the session began with ‘marshals’ informing the ‘House’ of the arrival of the ‘Speaker.’ Donny Chacko, a Class IX student, donned the role of the Speaker and chaired the proceedings. The session commenced with the Speaker inviting Education Minister, enacted by Ashna M.P., another Class IX student, to introduce a bill on redeployment of teachers from aided schools as part of streamlining the education sector. The Minister introduced the bill, sans any major disruptions from the Opposition benches. It was followed by a healthy debate with Opposition members expressing their dissent on the provisions of the bill. There were no disruptions, fisticuffs, walkouts or unruly scenes. It was a constructive Opposition taking on the government and a ruling front giving the Opposition its due.
The Chief Minister, played by Ashna M.P., wound up the debate expressing her government’s intent to strengthen the government schools.
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Inaugurating the mock session, K. Muraleedharan, MLA, said the parliamentary system followed by the country gave opportunity for everyone to participate in nation building. Law Secretary B.G. Haridranath in his address stressed the need for strengthening parliamentary debate for democracy to thrive. Cadets from across the State participated in the mock session.