Addressing a gathering of Chennai primary and middle school teachers at a special meeting on how to increase students’ strength in civic body-run schools, Mayor M Subramanian said, “Since our earlier venture in starting English medium classes in 25 schools bore very good results, the Corporation will start such classes in 15 more primary schools from Vijayadasami Day.”

In 2009, when the civic body launched English medium classes in its 25 schools, about 750 students were enrolled, and this April, it has increased to 1385, which shows the popularity of the medium, he said.

Considering the improved status of Chennai Schools in producing sustained results in Class X and XII, the Mayor hoped that the Corporation’s drive for more enrolment of students could easily increase the total enrolment for this academic year by another 10,000 pupils.

Most of the teachers who aired their views for increasing students’ strength concluded that by introducing English medium classes in all schools, the civic body could increase the enrolments. Other suggestions included breakfast schemes for students, honouring regular school-comers and distribution of ties for increasing enrolment.

A teacher from a civic body-run nursery school suggested that noon-meal scheme, which is available only for students studying from class one, should also be introduced to the kindergarten students.