Chennai: As the country awaits its Republic Day celebrations, schools in the city are coming up with various events to make the day a memorable one. Apart from a band and the traditional march past, schools will be putting up a cultural programme that will include folk dances from the state, including classical dances.
Every year, the education department selects schools in the city to perform at the Republic Day parade on the Marina. This year, five schools are participating in the function and the district collectorate’s function. Six other schools will also be participating in the function organised by the Directorate of Public Instruction.
Among the schools that will be part of the parade is Presidency higher secondary school for girls.
The institution is preparing for the show. The school is putting up a cultural programme and has been rehearsing earnestly over the last two weeks, “We were asked to perform on a particular song suggested by the school education department and 31 of our students have been rehearsing for the dance. We had our first rehearsal on Wednesday on Marina beach and looking forward to the next few before the final day,” said a school representative.
Schools have to wrap up their performance within three to 12 minutes as instructed by the education department.
Springfield Matriculation School will also be part of the celebrations. The Principal Sudha S said the 35 students from her school have been devotedly practicing their dance routine since last week. “We are going to perform traditional Tamil folk dances at the event. We already have all of our costumes in place and the students are eagerly looking forward to the event. “ The students are participants from seventh grade and above, school authorities said.
Apart from dances, MCC school, Chetpet, is taking charge of the band of the day.
According to the chief educational office, schools are chosen as per their performance in school functions. “We regularly attend school functions like their annual day, sports day, teachers day or cultural day and when we notice that a school is good at the performance, we make a note. When we have to choose a school for events such as Republic Day we ask the schools if they are interested and then we allot them specific events, “ said a representative.
According to schools, the education department has said it would reimburse them the expenses with regard to costumes and props.
