THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: General Education Department has banned the school children from carrying `thalapoli’ in public functions as part of its efforts to promote pupilfriendly schools. This stricture formed part of the guidelines for the conduct of public functions in schools issued by the Department on Thursday.
The guidelines also banned the practice of making children wait on the roadside for long hours during such functions. The practice of asking students to walk in two lines for welcoming the guests has also been banned.
Another recommendation is for avoiding formalities in such functions and ensuring that such functions are held in a more creative way. The duration of all school functions should not exceed an hour. Efforts should be made to complete the function within the specified time. The practice of discontinuing classes for a full day for the conduct of a function, too, has to be stopped. Arrangements have to be made to continue the classes after the function, the guidelines point out.
The guideline also wanted schools to discontinue the practice of using costly costumes, boards, lights, and flexes for functions held in schools.
A welcome address praising the guests and a descriptive vote of thanks should be done away with. The number of speakers in functions also has to be restricted, the guidelines add.