Alappuzha: Over 40 lakh students across Kerala resumed classes on Monday as schools reopened following a two-month-long summer vacation. Despite heavy rains affecting most districts last week due to the onset of the southwest monsoon, the state experienced relatively pleasant weather on the first day of the new academic year.
Schools in both urban and rural areas welcomed back enthusiastic students carrying new books, bags, and uniforms. To celebrate the occasion, teachers adorned their schools with festoons, balloons, and coconut leaves, creating a festive atmosphere. Many institutions, along with parent-teacher associations, organised live performances of drums and percussion instruments to warmly greet the returning students.
According to official sources, over two lakh children joined the first standard in government and aided schools across Kerala, though the final figures are yet to be confirmed.
Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan formally inaugurated the "Praveshanotsavam 2026-27" school reopening ceremony by lighting a traditional lamp at a state-run higher secondary school in Alappuzha. During this culturally rich event, he also launched the state-level distribution of study materials.
In his address, Vijayan emphasised that education should help children acquire wisdom and discernment beyond mere knowledge. "We should approach everything with critical intelligence. Secular thinking and democratic consciousness should be instilled in the minds of children. That should be the objective of education," he said.
He further urged teachers to stay updated with fresh knowledge and inputs to better support their students. Vijayan called on all schools to work collectively to foster an atmosphere of curiosity and inquisitiveness, aiming to alleviate students’ fears and concerns.
Highlighting the state government's ongoing efforts, the Chief Minister announced that a comprehensive master plan would be prepared by June 15, focusing on enhancing academic excellence. "Along with infrastructure development, the main focus of the new year will be on improving the efficiency of academic standards in schools. All institutions are expected to complete their academic master plan before June 15," he stated.
Vijayan also revealed that this academic year will see a significant change in the evaluation system, along with efforts to unify the entire school system under a single framework.
Reflecting on past challenges, the Chief Minister noted that in 2016, about five lakh children dropped out of state-run schools and around a thousand schools were shut down due to unprofitability. Since then, the government has made remarkable progress in education by launching smart schools and classrooms, and investing approximately Rs 5,000 crore in infrastructure development over the last nine years.
Alongside the Chief Minister, General Education Minister V. Sivankutty, Fisheries Minister Saji Cheriyan, and other public representatives attended the function.
The state government has introduced several new initiatives this academic year, including revised school timings for high schools and the introduction of value-based education, aiming to further strengthen Kerala’s education system.
With PTI inputs