Over 101,000 students enroll in Chennai government schools

Chennai's school education department has reported over 101,000 enrollments in government schools for Classes I to V this month. The admissions process began in early March. Among the new students, 72,646 are in Tamil-medium classes and 19,053 in English-medium classes. Additionally, 9,980 students have enrolled in LKG, UKG, and Classes II to VIII. Officials believe the total number of enrollments could exceed 500,000. This is due to increased outreach efforts, such as distributing pamphlets, going door-to-door, and organizing cultural events. Teachers are also handing out free stationery to encourage more families to enroll their children. In Triplicane, teachers have been working extra hours to create pamphlets that showcase student successes and available support from the state. M Kaveri, a Mathematics teacher, noted they address common questions from parents about student performance, facilities, and financial aid options. Popular schools are seeing long lines of parents eager to enroll their children. S Lakshmi, a parent waiting outside the Ashok Nagar school, mentioned that the number of families waiting indicates the school’s strong reputation. In Medavakkam, a government school is using cultural performances and storytelling as part of its admission strategy. A senior teacher explained these activities allow parents to witness student talent and hear inspiring alumni stories. One performance highlighted the struggles of a first-generation learner, which resonated with many attending parents. Despite the rise in student enrollment, many schools face infrastructure issues. A teacher from the Medavakkam school observed that classrooms are overcrowded and essential facilities are lacking. The state aims for a 30:1 student-teacher ratio in primary schools, but many government schools are struggling to meet this standard. R Kumar, a member of a school management committee, stressed the need to address these ratios to ensure quality learning experiences.