Chennai: Students in govt schools will get a role in campus administration this academic year, with the school education department introducing a mock parliamentary-style ministerial system.Integrated with the existing Magizh Mutram house system, the initiative will see schools elect student-ministers from each of the five houses — Kurinji, Mullai, Neithal, Marutham and Paalai — for education, safety, information and communication, environment and climate change, and hygiene and sanitation.Each minister will handle duties linked to their portfolio. The communication minister will update notice boards and share announcements, the environment minister will take care of greenery, the education minister will track attendance and academic focus, and the hygiene minister will monitor cleanliness in classrooms and on campus.“Interested candidates were shortlisted and elections were held last week. Five students, one from each house, who secured the highest votes were chosen as ministers and portfolios were allotted through draw of lots. A mock discussion was held on Friday, where minister-elects outlined their plans and answered questions,” said T Nakkeeran, headmaster, Government Higher Secondary School, Kovalam.The student-ministers will work with house heads and class house leaders, and their performance will add to house scores. “Every action by ministers will reflect on the house score. Extra and co-curricular activities at classroom level are already added as house points. It is exciting and competitive,” said E Karthika, a class house leader at Government Presidency Higher Secondary School.Middle, high and higher secondary classes currently have four periods a week for extra and co-curricular activities such as singing, drawing, essay-writing and reading. The ministers’ work will be monitored by school heads and added to house points.School education director S Kannappan said the initiative would encourage student participation, improve learning abilities and help develop them into capable leaders and responsible citizens. Co-educational schools have also been told to ensure that at least three elected class house leaders are girls, with the post rotating every month to provide equal opportunity.Chief education officers have been instructed to conduct periodic checks to ensure effective implementation, he added.
