Government schools take ad route to boost admissions in Tiruvannamalai

Tiruvannamalai district broke the 2003 world record created by 73,000 students who read an English newspaper simultaneously in California, USA by ensuring that 1.76 lakh students read simultaneously for twenty minutes at 437 centres in the district. 

The global certification has become the backbone to ensure additional admissions in government schools which have put up banners highlighting the advantages of each school. Without mentioning the words ‘private school’, the banners ask, “Why go to another school when your local school has many advantages?” The banners carry the contact numbers of government officials and with pictures highlighting the facilities available in the schools. 

“English medium is possible,” says the banner of the government HSS at Rajathangal, while that of Sithathur highlights the presence of a chess club on its premises.

Similarly, the Melarani HSS highlights that it has all necessary facilities, while the HSS located at Karapattu stresses on the presence of its mobile counselling centre. The government HSS at Jamunamarudur highlights its special English pronunciation class, while the school at Panai Olaipaadi advertises its career guidance and counselling facilities. The Vadmathimangalam HSS’ advertisement speaks about the interaction session it conducts for the parents of the students.

Initiated by Collector KS Kandasamy, the move has for the first time found resonance among locals. “This step should have been undertaken a long time ago. We are happy that now officials have realised that government schools can compete with private schools,” said Teekaraman, a social activist. “We have asked all schools to put up flex banners at prominent places in their locality,” said CEO V Jayaraman. “The difference in attendance between last year and this year after schools reopen in June will reveal how effective it is,” he added. Regarding funds, he said, “a flex banner for the size we use will cost around Rs 1,000. We have asked schools to use funds from the Parents Teachers Association.”