THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: A new academic year begins today. Schools are ready to welcome newcomers with gift packs and sweets. 3.25 lakh children will set foot in class 1 out of a total of 42 lakh students. Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan will inaugurate the state-level entrance festival today at 10 am at Malayinkeezh Govt. VHSS. The entrance festival song 'Minnaminughine Pidikalalla Jeevitham', penned by Murugan Kattakkada and composed by Vijay Karun and sung by Manjari and her team, will be played in the schools. Meanwhile, 15,000 teaching posts including 7000 in government schools are vacant. Minister V Sivankutty informed this in the assembly in December.

Meanwhile, stray dogs are a threat to students. Of the 3.25 lakh stray dogs in the state, only 65,000 have been vaccinated.

Petition to increase midday meal allowance

The Kerala Private Secondary School Head Masters Association has approached the High Court seeking an increase in mid-day meal allowance for students of government and aided schools. The demand is to make it 15 rupees.

The government allows Rs 6-8 per child per day. For schools up to 150 students, Rs.8 per student; between 150 and 500 students, Rs.7 per student; and for schools with more than 500 students, Rs.8 per student, is the presently allotted amount.

Clearance certificate for vehicle workers

• Warning - Traffic sign boards near schools
• Police clearance certificate mandatory for vehicle employees transporting children
• It will be ensured that no intoxicants are produced in the shops in the school premises
• Police to help kids cross the road in front of the school and control the traffic
• Principals and head teachers can seek police help

LP Schools 6860

Govt- 2629

Aided- 3889

Unaided- 342

UP Schools 3000

Government- 868

Aided- 1865

Unaided- 267

High School 3750

Government- 1203

Aided- 1431

Unaided- 516

Higher Secondary 2077

Government- 852

Aided- 846

Unaided- 362

Technical- 17

VHSE 389

Government- 261

Aided- 128