About 400,000 children in the state today stepped into the world of learning by joining the first standard as about 14,000 government, state-aided and private schools re-opened after the summer vacation.

Another 4.2 million children belonging to 2nd to 10th standards resumed their studies as teachers welcomed them along with the freshers to the new academic year in schools across the state.

Seeking to improve the quality of education, the state government has drawn up several plans this year centering round the theme "Quality Education, Children's Right." The targets set for the academic year include a minimum of 200 school days, formation of school-level resource groups and an enhanced role for local bodies in the functioning of schools, sources in the Education Department said.

The teachers had been asked to work according to an advance time-table and make extra efforts to help children lagging in studies.

In a novel project, children from second to ninth standards would be participating in a tree-planting programme planned as part of the World Environment Day tomorrow.

Greeting the children on the occasion, Education Minister M A Baby said the government would strive to rise to the expectations of the Kerala society which always set great store by the education of its children.

Technorati Tags: Education Kerala