Latest news with #AnbilMaheshPoyyamozhi
The Hindu
5 hours ago
- Health
- The Hindu
Tiruchi Corporation to establish a college, says K. N. Nehru
Minister for Municipal Administration K.N. Nehru on Wednesday said Tiruchi Corporation would establish a college on a five-acre land in the city. Inaugurating new Corporation school buildings here, the Minister also disclosed that a model school would be established at Woraiyur in the city and urged Minister for School Education Anbil Mahesh Poyyamozhi to establish government schools in the west constituency as there were only Corporation and private schools in the area. Later, Mr. Nehru told reporters that the integrated bus terminus at Panjapur would become operational after the tender for the annual maintenance contract was awarded. Asked about COVID-19 preparedness at schools, Mr. Poyyamozhi said the current strain of the virus was not severe. School students would be advised to wear face masks if necessary. The Ministers inaugurated a model higher secondary school at Edamalaipattipudur in Ward 57 and an additional building for Corporation Middle School at Piratiyur in Ward 55. The model school building has been constructed on a 2.91-acre site in Rajiv Gandhi Nagar at an estimate of ₹18.41 crore. The ground floor and first floor of the building will house 36 classrooms, two staff rooms, two office rooms, a library, three laboratories, and four sanitary facilities. Similarly, the Corporation Middle School at Piratiyur, which is functioning in a two-storey building with 10 classrooms, has 801 students. Considering the increase in enrolments, an additional building was constructed at an outlay of ₹4.90 crore under the Corporation's Education Fund. The three-storey building features 12 classrooms, two staff rooms, an office room, eight toilets and 12 urinals. With the additional building, around 540 would be benefitted, a press release said. Textbooks, school bags and uniforms were distributed to the students. Collector M. Pradeep Kumar, Mayor M. Anbazhagan, Corporation Commissioner V. Saravanan, Member of the Parliament K.N. Arun Nehru, Chief Educational Officer G. Krishnapriya and others were present.
New Indian Express
2 days ago
- General
- New Indian Express
Tamil Nadu government schools reopen, nearly two lakh students enrolled in classes 1 to 5
CHENNAI: Government and government-aided schools across Tamil Nadu reopened on Monday after the summer vacation, with the first day of the academic year marked by the distribution of textbooks, notebooks, and other educational kit items to students. Chief Minister MK Stalin launched the distribution drive at the Lady Willingdon Government Model School in Chennai. Speaking to reporters, School Education Minister Anbil Mahesh Poyyamozhi said that the government ensured timely delivery of learning materials this year by initiating the tender process early. 'In previous years, though kits were distributed completely, there were delays of several months. On the chief minister's insistence, we made sure that all items, procured at a cost of Rs 1,141 crore, were handed out on the very first day. This practice will continue in the years to come,' he said. As per a 2013 government order, the Tamil Nadu Textbook and Educational Services Corporation handles the printing and procurement of kit items. These include bags, textbooks, laptops, sanitary napkins, bicycles, uniforms, footwear among others.
The Hindu
2 days ago
- Politics
- The Hindu
No better time to reform implementation of RTE Act in Tamil Nadu
The recent furore over delay in opening the admission portal for Right to Education (RTE) Act for the academic year 2025-26 has not only informed people about the very existence of the Act but it has also opened up a discussion for the regulation of the Act and its implementation. The Right to Education (RTE) Act, enacted in India on August 4, 2009, guarantees free and compulsory education for children aged 6 to 14. While the portal would usually be opened by mid-April and the admission process would end by May, the unusual delay of over a month has put the parents waiting for admission under RTE, at a crossroads. Despite facing dilutions, under RTE, a considerable number of students looking for education in private schools benefited, but the recent developments in the centre-State conflict in releasing fund meant for school education have directly affected the admission processes. Though the School Education Minister Anbil Mahesh Poyyamozhi recently said that he had written a letter to the Centre seeking details about the pending dues under the RTE Act, the State announced that it would bear the Centre's dues too. As the Madras High Court was hearing a case pertaining to the delay in admissions under RTE Act, based on a petition filed by V. Eswaran, an administrator of the Coimbatore-based organisation Marumalarchi Iyakkam, the court has directed the Union Government to submit details of funds due to Tamil Nadu under the 25% reservation quota mandated by the RTE Act. Anand Raj, a social activist based in Madurai, said that a Right to Information Act reply from Tamil Nadu government regarding the fund released by the Union government for the RTE Act from 2009-10 till 2018-19 revealed that while ₹20,300 crore was to be released, only ₹8,446 crore was released. He noted that the issue of Union holding back the funds meant for the Act was not a new one but had been in practice for several years. Apart from the political motivations which affected the implementation of the Act, the actual admission practice, on several occasions, has come under criticism, owing to the prevailing gaps in implementation. S. Umamaheshwari, an education activist, said that citing very minor differences, the private schools, awaiting reasons to reject applications under RTE Act, abruptly reject admissions. Reimbursement 'Though the State government reimburses the schools, private schools, wanting to escape other expenses for a student like books, uniforms, extra activities, find all ways to reject an application,' she alleged. While the Act has framed certain rules like location of the student's house within one km radius of the school, the same technicality was being armed to reject students, she added. With such technicalities in practice, rejections become much simpler for them, Ms. Umamaheshwari stated. Not just the rejection, but the harsh attitude of school administration towards students admitted through RTE and the discriminatory practices towards them force the parents to remove their wards from the school, she said. Subbaiah, a parent, whose son studied under RTE in a private school at Chrompet in Chennai from class 1 to 3, due to the demand for half payment of fees from the school, moved his son to a nearby government school. He said, as they demanded him to pay half the actual fees citing additional spending on school events, they could not afford to pay the fees. 'In the mid-academic year, I had to remove him from that school,' he added. As he was uninterested in fighting with the school administration, he said he did not resist. Woe of parents Mr. Anand Raj, listing down the troubles the parents have to face from the schools, said that the school administrations degrade the students studying under the Act by identifying them in a classroom by calling out their names. While it would morally destabilise the students, exorbitant fees demanded for extra-curricular activities, workshops and study materials would eventually stress parents who mostly could not afford to pay them, he added. A School Education Department Government Order 173 section 8(2) dated January 8, 2011, clarified that textbooks, library, uniform, information and communication, technology, sports equipment among others should be provided for free of cost and no difference should be shown towards permitting students to access them. Citing the order, he alleged that most of the schools were not adhering to the G.O. 'Even many well-established schools frequently charge students for various reasons. After a certain time, the parents would have to stop questioning to safeguard the children's education,' he noted. A School Education Department official- private school wing said that the rejection of RTE applications for technical reasons has been reduced with the direct involvement of officials during the admission process. But he agreed that schools were charging the students under the RTE Act for various reasons. Fee collection 'As the administrations say they were not paid by the government for the extracurricular activities and sports, we have to let them collect the fees unless it does not affect the students,' he stated. However, the official said that they were instructing schools not to exclude RTE students from any school activities and they have also been warned of actions that would follow.
The Hindu
3 days ago
- Politics
- The Hindu
No better time to reform RTE Act implementation
A recent furore over delay in opening the admission portal for Right to Education Act for the academic year 2025-26 has not only informed people about the existence of such an Act but it has also opened up a discussion for the regulation of the Act and its implementation. The Right to Education (RTE) Act, enacted in India on August 4, 2009, guarantees free and compulsory education for children aged 6 to 14. While the portal would usually be opened by mid-April and the admission process would end by May, the unusual delay of over a month has put the parents waiting for admission under RTE, at a crossroads. Despite facing dilutions, under RTE, a considerable number of students looking for education in private schools benefited, but the recent developments in the centre-State conflict in releasing fund meant for school education have directly affected the admission processes. Though the School Education Minister Anbil Mahesh Poyyamozhi recently said that he had written a letter to the Centre seeking details about the pending dues under the RTE Act, the State announced that it would bear the Centre's dues too. As the Madras High Court was hearing a case pertaining to the delay in admissions under RTE Act, based on a petition filed by V. Eswaran, an administrator of the Coimbatore-based organisation Marumalarchi Iyakkam, the court has directed the Union Government to submit details of funds due to Tamil Nadu under the 25% reservation quota mandated by the RTE Act. Anand Raj, a social activist based in Madurai, said that a Right to Information Act reply from the State government regarding the fund released by the Union government for the RTE Act from 2009-10 till 2018-19 revealed that while ₹20,300 crore was to be released, only ₹8,446 crore was released. He noted that the issue of Union holding back the funds meant for the Act was not a new one but had been in practice for several years. Apart from the political motivations which affected the implementation of the Act, the actual admission practice, on several occasions, has come under criticism, owing to the prevailing gaps in implementation. S. Umamaheshwari, an education activist, said that citing very minor differences, the private schools, awaiting reasons to reject applications under RTE Act, abruptly reject admissions. 'Though the State government reimburses the schools, private schools, wanting to escape other expenses for a student like books, uniforms, extra activities, find all ways to reject an application,' she alleged. While the Act has framed certain rules like location of the student's house within one km radius of the school, the same technicality was being armed to reject students, she added. With such technicalities in practice, rejections become much simpler for them, Ms. Umamaheshwari stated. Not just the rejection, but the harsh attitude of school administration towards students admitted through RTE and the discriminatory practices towards them force the parents to remove their wards from the school, she said. Subbaiah, a parent, whose son studied under RTE in a private school at Chrompet in Chennai from class 1 to 3, due to the demand for half payment of fees from the school, moved his son to a nearby government school. He said, as they demanded him to pay half the actual fees citing additional spending on school events, they could not afford to pay the fees. 'In the mid academic year, I had to remove him from that school,' he added. As he was uninterested in fighting with the school administration, he said he did not resist. Mr. Anand Raj, listing down the troubles the parents have to face from the schools, said that the school administrations degrade the students studying under the Act by identifying them in a classroom by calling out their names. While it would morally destabilise the students, exorbitant fees demanded for extra-curricular activities, workshops and study materials would eventually stress parents who mostly could not afford to pay them, he added. A School Education Department Government Order 173 section 8(2) dated January 8, 2011, clarified that textbooks, library, uniform, information and communication, technology, sports equipment among others should be provided for free of cost and no difference should be shown towards permitting students to access them. Citing the order, he alleged that most of the schools were not adhering to the G.O. 'Even many well-established schools frequently charge students for various reasons. After a certain time, the parents would have to stop questioning to safeguard the children's education,' he noted. A School Education Department official- private school wing said that the rejection of RTE applications for technical reasons has been reduced with the direct involvement of officials during the admission process. But he agreed that schools were charging the students under the RTE Act for various reasons. 'As the administrations say they were not paid by the government for the extracurricular activities and sports, we have to let them collect the fees unless it does not affect the students,' he stated. However, the official said that they were instructing schools not to exclude RTE students from any school activities and they have also been warned of actions that would follow.
News18
23-05-2025
- News18
Summer Vacations 2025: When Do Schools Reopen Across India?
Last Updated: Schools Reopen Date 2025: Summer vacations are underway across India. Here's when schools are expected to reopen in states like Delhi, UP, Tamil Nadu, Bihar, MP, and Rajasthan Schools Reopen Date 2025: Summer vacations have officially begun in most parts of India, with school closures taking place between April and June, depending on the region. States like Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Delhi, Rajasthan, and Tamil Nadu have already announced their respective break periods. The duration of these vacations varies based on local weather conditions, with heatwaves and climate advisories playing a key role. As the break continues, parents and students are actively looking for official reopening dates to plan ahead. School Reopening Dates Vary By State While many private schools operate on individual schedules, government advisories and extreme weather often influence changes. Most states have released the official School Holiday Calendar 2025, which includes summer vacation dates and tentative reopening plans. Here's a state-wise breakdown: Delhi Summer Vacation: May 11 – June 30, 2025 School Reopens: July 1, 2025 Uttar Pradesh Summer Vacation: May 20 – June 15, 2025 School Reopens: June 30, 2025 Summer Vacation: May 1 – June 15, 2025 School Reopens: June 16, 2025 Bihar Summer Vacation: June 2 – June 21, 2025 School Reopens: June 23, 2025 Madhya Pradesh Summer Vacation: May 1 – June 15, 2025 School Reopens: June 16, 2025 Tamil Nadu Summer Vacation: April 30 – June 1, 2025 (for Classes 1–12) School Reopens: June 2, 2025 CBSE and Kendriya Vidyalaya Summer Schedules Schools affiliated with the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) are expected to reopen on June 13, 2025, while most colleges plan to resume on June 19, 2025. Kendriya Vidyalayas (KVs) in states such as Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Bihar, and Madhya Pradesh are currently on summer break. Their vacation periods differ based on the region's climate: 40-day break: May 9 – June 17, 2025 50-day break: May 2 – June 20, 2025 In districts experiencing severe heat, particularly in parts of Uttar Pradesh and Bihar, school holidays may be extended until the first week of July. Tamil Nadu May Revise Reopening Date Although Tamil Nadu schools are set to reopen on June 2, 2025, the School Education Minister, Anbil Mahesh Poyyamozhi, has indicated that this date could be revised depending on weather conditions. The state government, in consultation with the Climate Management Committee, will make decisions prioritizing student safety. Meanwhile, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has predicted an early onset of the southwest monsoon in Kerala by May 27, 2025. This could potentially influence academic schedules in other southern states as well. First Published:
