Though the Corporation had earlier planned welcome gifts, the State Government cut it off mercilessly. For, the last year’s spending had invited much criticism with the audit report also stating that the local body had been acting like a spendthrift.

“This time, we were not given the permission. So, we have limited the gift to milk and chocolates. A school kit would be given to each child, which is being done by the Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA). The financial assistance to poor kids would be, however, continued,’’ said G.R. Anil, Education Standing Committee Chairman.

 However, SSA officials said that the school kits would not be distributed in all schools, but only where the ‘praveshnotsavs’ are being held. Like the Government UPS Azhikode, where the state-level inauguration is being done by  Chief Minister V.S. Achuthanandan and the Manacaud TTI, where the Corporation-level ‘praveshnotsav’ is being inaugurated by Agriculture Minister Mullakkara Ratnakaran.

 The school kit would have a notebook, pencil, eraser, and tit-bits that are expected to bring a smile to the children’s face. At the function at Manacaud TTI, Mayor C. Jayan Babu would preside over. The distribution of free notebooks to the children from poor families would be done by V. Sivankutty MLA and the school grant would be given away by V. Surendran Pillai MLA.

As this is the Year of Biodiversity, the Corporation has plans to introduce the kids to greens. To begin with, three saplings of mango, guava and ‘jamba’ would be planted on the campus of Manacaud TTI by Mullakkara Ratnakaran. In the rest of the schools, the saplings would be planted in the coming days.

Meanwhile, many of the Corporation schools registered an increase of divisions this time. Like the Government UPS Kumarapuram. The Manacaud TTI has an increase of two divisions with the admissions touching 178.  Many schools have roped in sponsors to avail facilities for their schools. Like a prominent hospital would be giving away a television to Chalai UPS on the reopening day. On the other hand, many schools continue with their poor performance, Corporation officials said.

 While the distribution of furniture and computers to some schools has been completed, it is still pending in some other schools. The City Corporation also distributes lab items, library items, cooking utensils (for breakfast and mid-meal preparations) and sports items to schools, apart from checking the construction of buildings and supply of water.