Schools in DK all set to welcome students to new session

Mangaluru: Schools across Dakshina Kannada (DK) district will reopen Monday for the new academic year, with govt and private institutions busy completing preparations as students are set to return to classrooms.

Govt schools are set to begin the year with ‘Arambotsava’ celebrations, involving teacher-led welcomes on the first day and a midday meal that includes a sweet dish.

DK deputy director of public instruction (DDPI), Shashidhar GS, said arrangements have been made across the district, with each school planning its own format for the opening day.

Even as campuses prepare to resume, concerns remain over damaged buildings and infrastructure affected by last year’s rains that have not been repaired. Officials said funds for repair work have not yet been received. There are also worries about meeting enrolment targets and ensuring timely distribution of textbooks and student essentials such as shoes and socks.

This year, the govt has issued enrolment growth targets to districts. In DK, all govt primary and high schools have been told to increase enrolment by 5%, while PM SHRI Schools and Karnataka public schools have been assigned a 10% increase in intake.

Total enrolment in the district in 2025-26 stood around 3,26,580.

A block education officer (BEO) from the city said enrolment patterns in several schools depend heavily on children from north Karnataka, many of whom return later in June. The official said admissions are progressing better than in the previous academic year, though a clearer picture is expected only after migrant students are back.

Alongside admission drives, schools have been instructed to identify and bring back dropouts and students who have remained absent for extended periods. Education officials also said schools have been given discretion to declare holidays during heavy rains when travel becomes unsafe for students.

While cleaning work has been carried out across schools, officials said 80% of the textbooks have already arrived and guest teachers have been allotted for both primary and high schools.

In Bantwal, a community-led programme was held ahead of school reopening, where local residents and school development and monitoring committee (SDMC) members welcomed teachers.

Malathi K, BEO (in-charge), Bantwal, said the initiative was planned by villagers and SDMCs as a gesture of support for teachers, who were greeted Saturday as part of the programme.