Final preparations under way for school reopening in Kottayam

The Hindu

2 days ago

Amid unfavourable weather conditions, preparations for the reopening of schools in Kottayam have entered their final phase.
The District Education department has completed inspections of all 910 schools across the district. Local self-government bodies have also concluded their respective assessments. However, adverse weather and the operation of relief camps in a few school premises may delay reopening in some cases.
Cleaning and repair work, funded by local bodies, has been completed in most schools. Of the total, 26 schools still require minor repairs, which officials said would be wrapped up by the next day. Parents-Teachers' Associations (PTAs) are actively supporting final arrangements on campuses.
Textbook distribution
'Textbook distribution too is nearing completion. Out of the required 15,06,181 textbooks, 11,17,461 have already been distributed. The remaining 3,88,720 books will be handed over before the academic year begins. Distribution of school uniforms is also progressing under the leadership of individual schools,' said an official with the District Education Office
Kitchen inspections have been conducted to ensure the readiness of utensils and facilities for the midday meal scheme. School premises have been cleaned with the help of the PTAs and any structural issues such as cracks or holes have been sealed with cement to ensure student safety.
As part of the 'Operation Surakshitha Vidyarambham-2025' initiative, launched to ensure the safe transport of students, school vehicle inspections are being carried out by the Motor Vehicles department (MVD), led by the District Regional and Sub-Regional Transport Offices.
Inspections completed
Of the 1,793 school vehicles operating in the district, inspections have been completed for 996, focussing on maintenance and compliance with safety guidelines. As per new mandates, drivers must have at least 10 years of experience with the type of vehicle they operate. Each school bus is also required to have door attendants based on the number of doors.
In addition to inspections, the MVD officials are conducting orientation classes for drivers and attendants. These sessions cover government-issued safety protocols, proper use of fire safety equipment and best practices for student transport.