KA Sengottaiyan pushes for ‘My school prog’ to better infrastructure

Chennai: Bang after the poll model code of conduct was lifted, Tamil Nadu School Education minister K A Sengottaiyan got into a pro-active push, mooting a new CSR (corporate social responsibility) initiative by alumni of government schools, who are now successful entrepreneurs and achievers in various fields, to liberally help to better the state schools' infrastructure.

"This is my school and I take pride in participating in its growth and if this thought blooms in the hearts of former students of government schools, it can give a big push to improve the quality of education by the state," Sengottaiyan said in a moving appeal here on Tuesday, week before schools are to re-open on June 3.

Continuing 'Amma's legacy of according top priority to school education in Tamil Nadu, the EPS-OPS government has allotted a massive Rs.28,757.62 crore for 2019-20 budget, he said. But if former students of government schools who have gone out to achieve in various fields also do some hand holding, it will be of immense help to the government in improving overall quality, he stressed.

Sengottaiyan urged such public-spirited alumni to adopt at least one school near their residence or the school from which they passed out and contribute funds through a CSR scheme for improving infrastructure. They would include redoing the buildings, putting up compound walls, painting the school buildings, providing computer and Internet facilities, clean toilets, research labs and libraries.

"I extol you all into this noble venture with folded hands," Sengottaiyan said and profusely thanked similar CSR contributors during the academic year 2018-19 who donated to the tune of Rs.58 crore for 519 government schools. The minister also noted that district education officers have already been instructed to cut red tape for alumni coming forward to participate in this CSR programme.