“Churning out students with self-confidence important”

More than academic excellence and marks, heads of schools should focus on churning out students with good character and self confidence to face the future, Collector S. Natarajan said.

Addressing the skill development programme for school headmasters, organised by the social welfare department at Infant Jesus Matriculation School here on Thursday, he said the heads of schools should be aware that they were dealing with ‘vulnerable group,’ the class X and above adolescent students and realise that they had greater responsibility in moulding them.

He said though it was important for the school heads to guide the students to focus on their studies and secure good marks, it was all the more important to ensure that they imbibed good character and qualities when they passed out. Agreeing that it was not easy to handle the adolescent students, who could be easily influenced and misguided, Mr. Natarajan said the programme was aimed at training the school heads in handling this group of students and helping them build self confidence.

Headmasters and teachers should prepare the students to build their career in this competitive world. The teachers should help the students to believe in themselves, he said adding if the students believed that they should come up in life, no one could stop them.

The Collector also called upon school Headmasters to ensure 100 per cent basic amenities in the schools, especially toilet facilities for girl students. The Panchayat Presidents and Assistant Director of Panchayats have been advised to help schools to build toilets, he said.

Chief Educational Officer Jayakannu and District Child Protection Officer S. Duraimurugan were present.