Festivities expel fear

Around 6,500 children join Class 1 in Pathanamthitta

Newcomers share their excitement at the Pravesanotsavam at Vivekananda Lower Primary School at Kadambanad, near Adoor, on Thursday.

The school reopening was celebrated as Pravesanotsavam in different parts of the district on Thursday.

According to Education Department sources, as many as 6,500 children joined Class I on Thursday. However, the exact number of new entrants would be clear only after the official assessment on the sixth working day of the school year.

Children enjoyed the celebrations after the two-month summer vacation.

The school authorities received the tiny tots with much fanfare, literally making it a festival. The children were offered sweets and their first day at school was all play and fun. The government as well as aided schools have organised Pravesanotsavam. Some of them kicked off the Pravesanotsavom with a procession, escorting the new entrants to the school premises in a joyous mood.

The Pravesanotsavam was a concept primarily aimed at freeing children’s fear of schools on the first day.

Deputy Chairman of Rajya Sabha P.J. Kurien inaugurated the district-level Pravesanotsavam at the Government LP School at Vettipram near here.