Thiruvananthapuram: Chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan inaugurated the 'Pravesanolsavam', welcoming the new students to the schools in the state. The event was organised at Kazhakkoottam government higher secondary school.

"Some parents, even though it is rare, stop their kids from playing. That is not good for the children's growth. They should learn from their little failures and successes about the life they have ahead," said CM while inaugurating the event.

He emphasised on the need for physical activity of the children. “That is why the government is mulling playgrounds in schools and villages,” he said. The CM also said that Kerala ensured education for all during the pandemic period.

Around 4 lakh students have joined the first standard in the state for the academic year of 2022-23. In total, 42.9 lakh students have reached the schools on Wednesday.

The students are returning to their schools after a hiatus of two years. The schools were closed in 2020 March due to the Covid-19 spread. Even though they were reopened later, students were allowed to enter the school only in batches. This is the first time since the pandemic they will be learning together.

Teachers, PTAs and school management made elaborate arrangements to welcome the students.

General education minister V Sivankutty said that all students and teachers must wear face masks as the risk of Covid-19 has not gone away completely. Students above the age of 12 must take the vaccine as soon as possible, said health minister Veena George. Parents are asked not to send their wards to the school if they or anyone else in the family show any symptoms.