- विज्ञापन -
Kerala: As Kerala’s schools reopened on Monday, the monsoon rains, which had caused widespread disruptions last week, appeared to have eased, with clear skies and sunshine. The start of the new academic year saw nearly 10,000 schools following the state syllabus welcoming a record 4.5 lakh young students, accompanied by parents, many arriving in private vehicles due to traffic congestion.
Last week’s heavy rains had left many roads flooded, but on Monday, traffic was the main issue. Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and State Education Minister inaugurated the academic session at a government higher secondary school in Kalavoor, Alappuzha, where the CM observed a cultural program and distributed school kits.
Across Kerala, similar ceremonies took place in various schools—government, aided, and private. However, some schools in Alappuzha and other districts remained closed or delayed reopening because they are still serving as relief camps following the severe rains. For instance, the Lutheran Church’s largest school in Aryad, Alappuzha, could not open as it was hosting relief operations.
In Idukki district’s Adimali, students resumed their long walks to school through forested areas, expressing a mix of happiness and concern about encounters with wild elephants. One girl said, “We walk nearly two km through forests and sometimes see wild elephants, especially in the evenings after tuition. It’s frightening, but we have no choice. If we stay home, we miss studies. We’ve even seen elephants eating jackfruit by the roadside; it’s scary, but we walk quietly and carefully.”
Meanwhile, a school in Idukki faced protests on the first day after parents discovered that the Class 9 English-medium division was canceled due to low enrollment. The protest, which drew the attention of police and members of the Congress student wing, reflected the unrest over the school’s decision.
