Chennai: Thirukkural couplets, riddles, and inspirational quotes will soon become a regular feature in the morning assemblies of more than 3,000 government schools across Tamil Nadu, as part of an initiative spearheaded by a group of dedicated teachers. The required content has been provided free of cost to students in a comprehensive 210-page guidebook, meticulously designed by the educators behind ‘Online Kalvi Radio’—a free-to-use digital platform that hosts over 8 lakh audio files contributed by students, covering lessons, stories, poems, and more.
Purpose and Benefits of the Guidebook
“An assembly is the first activity for students every day, and it has to be made engaging. Generally, teachers and students taking part in the assembly do not get time to prepare beforehand. To help them, our guidebook has content for 210 days of the academic year,” explained A Karthick Raja, a government school teacher from Cuddalore who spearheaded the initiative. The guidebook aims to streamline the assembly process, ensuring that participants are well-prepared and the sessions are both educational and interactive.
Content and Impact on Students
Teachers have noted that the guidebook includes general knowledge questions, abbreviations, and couplets, alongside the Thirukkural. “It will help students hone their reading skills as they don’t have to memorize proverbs or Thirukkural couplets anymore. Teachers can also make a log of students taking part in the assembly to track participation in extra-curricular activities,” said R Bhavani, a government school teacher from Red Hills. This approach encourages active learning and reduces the burden of rote memorization.
Distribution and Support
The guidebooks have been distributed by the non-profit organisation Kalvi Kan Thirantha Kamarajar Foundation. So far, ₹2 lakh has been spent for the initiative, covering printing and distribution costs. The effort has been well-received by the school education department, which has welcomed the idea and expressed interest in expanding it to more schools.
Official Endorsement
“Many schools involve students in activities such as news-reading and reciting short moral stories during the assembly. GK questions are a welcome initiative. We also welcome suggestions and ideas from anyone to make these activities more engaging,” said M Kabir, Chennai chief education officer. The department's support indicates potential for statewide adoption, enhancing the educational experience for thousands of students.
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