VIJAYAWADA: In a bid to foster an inclusive and well-structured environment for students, the Zilla Parishad High School at P Donthamuru in Pithapuram constituency, Kakinada district has successfully drafted a constitution similar to the Indian Constitution.
The document will officially be unveiled on Tuesday (November 26) to mark the 75th Constitution Day. The school constitution will be adopted on January 26, 2025.
The primary purpose behind drafting the school constitution is to create a well-defined framework that ensures transparency, accountability, and effective governance within the school.
The school constitution aims to safeguard the rights of students, teachers, and staff, promote a harmonious school environment, and establish clear guidelines for various operational aspects.
It has been designed to make students aware of the significance of structured governance, thus preparing them to become responsible citizens of the future.
The idea was the brainchild of School Assistant (English) and chairman of the constitution drafting committee GV Prasad. He is also known for his work in training students of the ZP High School in Bendapudi to speak English with an American accent.
The drafting committee has 30 members, including 13 teachers, six parents, and numerous students.
The process, which began on October 2 and completed on November 14, spanned over 52 days, involving 10 intensive meetings where ideas were shared, discussed, and refined.
Constitution comprises 25 articles and five schedules for amendments
The school constitution comprises approximately 150 pages with six parts, 25 articles, and various sections under each article. It has five schedules and detailed procedures for proposing, reviewing, and implementing amendments.
Notably, the crucial document includes rough manuscripts penned by students, capturing their perspectives and contributions to the drafting process. This inclusion highlights the importance of student’s voice and engagement in school governance.
Sharing with TNIE what inspired him to come up with the idea of a school constitution, Prasad said, “When I kept hearing about child abuse and the rude behaviour of high school students, I decided to raise awareness on this matter. I would always think how today’s children can become great citizens without knowing about the Constitution of India which runs the country. This realisation propelled the idea of drafting a comprehensive constitution for our school.”
Yelugubanti Nandini, a class IX student who was involved in the drafting of the school constitution, told TNIE, “It was an incredible learning experience. It made me realise the importance of rules and governance, and how we can actively contribute to our school.”
School Assistants (Social Studies) Ch Vijay Kumar and T Satyanarayana served as president and vice-president of the Constituent Assembly respectively.
Prasad highlighted School Headmaster V Venkata Reddy’s role in encouraging the drafting committee.
He also mentioned that they are hoping to show the school constitution to Governor S Abdul Nazeer, Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu, Deputy Chief Minister K Pawan Kalyan and HRD Minister N Lokesh.