Bengaluru: This year, there will be no state-level school reopening programme. In the absence of both the chief minister and the school education minister, schools across the state will mark the start of the academic year through events organised at local level, with officials, teachers and community representatives participating.The decision marks a departure from the large-scale celebrations that had been planned in previous years. There will be no grand inauguration, no statewide address to students and parents, and no centrally coordinated event linking schools across Karnataka. The CM was to address the ‘mega parent-teacher meeting’, which was to be held simultaneously in all schools across the state and telecast everywhere through video conference. The CM was also to formally launch the ‘Karnataka Public School’ (KPS) scheme by laying the foundation for a KPS in Shivamogga.Now, the plan is to hold the events in each school under the leadership of local education department officials, district commissioners or local community, based on their availability. Schools are getting ready, with last-minute repair works and cleaning in progress.Uniform, book distribution to be over by this weekMeanwhile, the department of school education and literacy said uniform and book distribution is on track and will be completed by this week.“We had a review meeting Saturday morning. The first set of uniform has been delivered to more than 90% of the schools. Among others, 90% has been dispatched from factories. The delivery will be assured by the first week of June,” said Suralkar Vikas Kishor, commissioner, department of school education.“In the case of books, there are 1,000-plus titles. 80% of the titles are 100% delivered. Our books are divided into two parts, as per the two terms. The delivery of the first part of the remaining books is assured by June 5. The first few days will be a bridge programme called Setubandha, which will require no books,” he added.Meanwhile, private schools are also gearing up for the big day. “Most of us are planning a fun-filled day, especially for the early learners. There will be a lot of play, dance, songs, flowers and sweets. But across the state, we have been hearing that nursery admission has collapsed in private schools. This is mostly because of the playschools mushrooming and the birth rate falling. While this has been the trend in recent years, this time the fall has been drastic,” said D Sashi Kumar, secretary, Association of Managements of Primary and Secondary Schools of Karnataka.Whereas in govt schools, enrolment drives are still ongoing. The department has sought special drives from schools to increase enrolment.
