The first day of school invariably starts with tears for kids as they entered the new environment filled with anxiety but it was a joyous occasion for the new comers at Vallal Pari Municipal Middle school, a Government English Medium School here on Monday.
Scenes of children crying, clinging on to their parents and refusing to enter into schools on the first day were common sight in almost all kindergarten schools. But the municipal school, admitting the third batch of students after the government introduced English medium schools two years ago, stood an exception.
The 12 children, who were enrolled to standard I were accorded a grand reception as they stepped into the school, accompanied by their parents. Led by T. Estherveni, Headmistress, teachers welcomed the girls and boys by garlanding and offering them chocolates.
Though it was an English medium school, the teachers, following the age-old tradition, made the children write the first letter of Tamil alphabets on paddy grains even as other students and parents cheered them.
The children and parents were given sandal and kumkum, making the first day a memorable occasion, the Headmistress said.
“This is the first time, we garlanded and welcomed the kids to give them a feel-good atmosphere,” she said adding the children looked relaxed as they started the first day in school. The parents too were happy,” she said.
On the first day itself, the children were given free books, notebooks, bags and two sets of uniforms, she said. Parents who could not afford to admit their children in private English medium schools paying ‘exorbitant’ fees, preferred the Municipal school, she said. “We expect at least 25 more children to enroll,” the Headmistress added.