Teachers go an extra mile to welcome students on day 1

Chennai: From photo points to sweets and leisure classes, teachers went an extra mile to make students feel welcome on their first day back to school on Monday.

Chief minister M K Stalin launched the distribution of books, bags, and uniforms for students of govt and aided schools at an event in Lady Willingdon Higher Secondary School, Triplicane, and interacted with students.

Earlier at Greater Chennai Primary School in Thiruvanmiyur, headmistress Mariyashanti set up a photo booth to welcome her students. "This is designed by teachers. It's an initiative to make students feel warm and get over their vacation mood," she said. Uniforms, books, and slippers for students were all stacked up and ready to be handed over after the morning assembly. "Shoes, to be provided by the corporation, will come soon," she added. Some headmasters said that several students were absent.

At the Chennai Primary School in Eranavoor, students were given chocolates, besides books and bags. At the Pallavaram Maraimalai Adigal School, MLA I Karunanidhi gave away laddoos to all students. "It felt a bit disheartening when I woke up in the morning and realised that the vacations were over. But now that I am back, it feels really nice," says Sharan, a student of the Montfort Academy Matriculation Higher Secondary School, Santhome.

Principal A Kennedy said special classes for kindergarten and primary students were being planned this year to boost their communication skills.

In govt primary schools, Pongal and sambar were served as breakfast for students, as opposed to upma that is usually served on Mondays. Addressing media persons at the event in Lady Willingdon School, School Education Minister Anbil Mahesh Poyyamozhi said the state education policy, which is at a draft stage, would be implemented soon.