Anaimalai turns tables on school dropouts in Coimbatore with 'Karpom Vilaiyaduvom'
The district administration has implemented a model project called 'Karpom Vilaiyaduvom' aimed at reducing the number of student dropouts, through which officials saw a notable decrease in school dropouts over the past year.
The Focus Block Development Programme targets specific blocks that struggle with critical development indicators such as education, health, and employment. It has been launched across all districts with local administrations working to enhance areas in need. In the district, Anaimalai block was chosen owing to concerns like low student attendance and high dropout rates.
To address these issues, an initiative to reduce dropouts, 'Karpom Vilaiyaduvom,' was introduced in 2024, which combines academics with sports to foster students' interest in attending school.
"While the block requires multi-faceted development, reducing dropout rates was identified as the top priority. We planned accordingly and launched the initiative as a pilot programme at four schools - the government higher secondary school and the government girls higher secondary school of Anaimalai, Angalakurichi government high school, and the government higher secondary school in Vettaikkaranpudur.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
New Indian Express
08-08-2025
- New Indian Express
Anaimalai turns tables on school dropouts in Coimbatore with 'Karpom Vilaiyaduvom'
COIMBATORE: As part of the Focus Block Development Programme initiated by the State Planning Commission, the Anaimalai block in the district was selected due to its significant deficiencies in key development indicators, particularly in education. The district administration has implemented a model project called 'Karpom Vilaiyaduvom' aimed at reducing the number of student dropouts, through which officials saw a notable decrease in school dropouts over the past year. The Focus Block Development Programme targets specific blocks that struggle with critical development indicators such as education, health, and employment. It has been launched across all districts with local administrations working to enhance areas in need. In the district, Anaimalai block was chosen owing to concerns like low student attendance and high dropout rates. To address these issues, an initiative to reduce dropouts, 'Karpom Vilaiyaduvom,' was introduced in 2024, which combines academics with sports to foster students' interest in attending school. "While the block requires multi-faceted development, reducing dropout rates was identified as the top priority. We planned accordingly and launched the initiative as a pilot programme at four schools - the government higher secondary school and the government girls higher secondary school of Anaimalai, Angalakurichi government high school, and the government higher secondary school in Vettaikkaranpudur.
Time of India
29-07-2025
- Time of India
Madurai corpn goes rangoli way to check waste dumping
Madurai: In an attempt to clean up its act after the poor showing in the latest Swachh Survekshan rankings, Madurai corporation has rolled out a mix of creative and enforcement-driven initiatives to tackle its long-standing garbage problem. Among the most striking efforts is the use of rangoli — colourful traditional designs — at garbage-vulnerable points to dissuade people from dumping waste. The corporation began drawing rangolis at spots notorious for illegal waste disposal, aiming to trigger a behavioural shift through visual appeal and cultural symbolism. "The initiative has been in place for about a month now, and while it's helping reduce waste in some areas, changing public habits takes time," said a senior health official. In certain neighbourhoods, green nets have also been used to enclose dumping spots, and saplings have been planted to reclaim and beautify these areas. J Abisekh, assistant city health officer, said the corporation made significant progress in recent months. "The rankings released this year were based on 2024 data. Since then, we've made major improvements in cleanliness. The number of garbage-vulnerable points dropped from 1,152 to 749 in the last four months," he said. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like ClarityPro Micro CIC Rechargeable: $97 For Today Only ClarityPro MicroCIC Rechargable Learn More Undo "Apart from ongoing issues with sanitary workers, all other parameters improved — we increased collection vehicles and are issuing more fines for violations," he added. Strict enforcement is another improvement of the city's renewed efforts. Fines are being levied on uncovered construction sites, debris-laden vehicles, and repeat waste offenders. Officials say fines of up to ₹1 lakh will be imposed on those who repeatedly flout norms. Recently, the corporation also mandated green nets to be installed around construction sites and cover construction material-laden vehicles. The corporation has approved installation of 80 AI-powered cameras to monitor overflowing garbage bins and improve clearance response times. The project, part of the Tamil Nadu Innovation Initiatives (TANII) by State Planning Commission, will be implemented in the next two months at a cost of ₹75 lakh. The corporation also recently launched a QR code-based tracking system in south zone. Around 200 QR codes have been installed across 18 wards to monitor movement of sanitary workers and offer residents a channel for grievance redressal. "The system works, but people need to know what it's for. We're planning better outreach," a senior official said. Residents and civic activists while welcoming the mixed approach said more consistency is needed. N Nagendran, a resident of Nethaji Street, said that while waste dumping has reduced, the problem hasn't gone away entirely. "The rangoli is drawn once or twice a week. It helps, but some people still dump waste — the change has to come from the people too," he said. M Raj Kumar, a civic activist, said such initiatives have been tried successfully in parts of Karnataka and Maharashtra. "It's good to see Madurai replicating these ideas. But unless the daily garbage collection improves — especially with so many worker protests — the impact will be limited. In some wards, five workers are assigned, but only two or three report for duty," he added.
Time of India
31-05-2025
- Time of India
Coimbatore district hits ‘bottom line' in learning outcome survey
Coimbatore: The district has cut a sorry figure in the state-level survey to assess the learning outcomes among the govt and aided school students of Classes III, V and VIII - at 38th, Coimbatore was ranked last in the state. In the State Level Achievement Survey, 2025, conducted jointly by the State Planning Commission, Samagra Shiksha, State Council for Educational Research and Training, and the Directorate of School and Elementary Education, Kanyakumari topped the state with a pass percentage of 66.55, followed by Madurai (63.72) and Cuddalore (63.66). Coimbatore recorded an overall pass percentage of 48.24, below the state average in all subjects - Tamil, English, mathematics, environmental science, science and social science. Among the district's 15 revenue blocks, Thondamuthur fared the worst, with an average pass percentage of 40.34 across subjects. A primary school teacher, who did not wish to be named, said the survey was not like regular school exams. "The exam contained logical, higher-order thinking and application-based questions. Some students, especially those in Class III, needed explanations to understand them. They found it difficult to answer the questions. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 5 Books Warren Buffett Wants You to Read In 2025 Blinkist: Warren Buffett's Reading List Undo They require practice to attempt such exams." He said the exam was conducted in a very strict manner in the district. "Final-year students of arts and engineering colleges supervised the test. Teachers were not allowed in the exam halls. We are unsure how strictly it was conducted in other districts." S Chandrasekar, Coimbatore zonal coordinator of Palli Kalvi Pathukappu Iyakkam, blamed the lack of monitoring in govt schools for the district's poor performance. "Earlier, Covid lockdowns were cited as a reason for the learning gap. But even after three years, the situation has not improved much." He said regular inspections should be conducted to assess classroom teaching, and special attention must be given to slow learners. "A district-level monitoring committee should be formed to review teaching methods and improvements." A Thangabasu, state vice-president, Tamil Nadu Primary School Teachers Federation, highlighted the acute shortage of teachers at the primary level. "Many retired teachers have not been replaced in the past 12 years. Several elementary and middle schools function with just one teacher, handling Classes I to V." He said Coimbatore was also the district that assigns the most teachers to booth level officer duties, which involve the job of voter list verification, conducting electoral camps and booth slip distribution. "When we complain, officials say the revenue department lacks adequate staff." According to him, teachers are burdened with non-teaching work, including uploading student data on the Education Management Information System portal, handling Aadhaar corrections, conducting camps and managing scholarship details. "These duties distract teachers from focusing on academics. The School Education Department should fill vacancies and free teachers from non-academic tasks to improve learning outcomes," Thangabasu said. When contacted, chief education officer R Balamurali said the teachers would be sensitised on the survey findings. "District Institute of Education and Training will provide training focused on improving learning outcomes. Continuous follow-ups will be done post-training, with attention at revenue block and school levels."
