The Tamil Nadu state government has directed the heads of all government schools to increase student enrolments by 30% compared to the previous academic year. The directive was issued during a meeting convened by chief education officers (CEOs) last week, where school heads were instructed to secure at least 50 new enrolments each at the upper primary and middle school entry levels, covering Classes I to VI.
Door-to-Door Campaigning
In several districts, including Chennai, school heads have been asked to submit a report to the respective CEO by May 15 detailing the number of admissions completed so far. Teachers are required to go door-to-door to promote government schemes and encourage parents to enrol their children. K Sasikala, a school head, explained, "We have been asked to go door to door and take the government schemes to the public, especially if there are children waiting to get enrolled in schools. Teachers will work on shifts to go canvassing and also be present in schools to encourage visitors to admit their wards."
Challenges from RTE Admissions
High and higher secondary school teachers have been told to canvass on a need basis this time. Teachers involved in the campaign noted that ongoing admissions to private schools under the Right to Education (RTE) Act are hindering enrolments in government schools. A headmaster remarked, "This year, the government has opened up RTE portals, and the process will go on till the last week of this month. Only those who do not get seats under RTE will come to government schools. So, the admissions may pick up pace only later this month."
Chennai CEO M Kabir stated that while admissions will continue until July 31, teachers need to canvass only until May 31. "Instructions were already given in March for admissions. The process has been underway for the past month," he said, adding that there are no rigid targets.
Teachers' associations have urged the department to demarcate administrative and non-administrative staff to ease the burden on teachers, who are already stretched thin by dual responsibilities of teaching and canvassing.
