Initiative to improve confidence of govt. school students launched in Perambalur

A resource person handling a session for students of the government higher secondary school at Karai in Perambalur district recently. | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement A six-month student empowerment initiative targeting government school students has been launched in Perambalur district with multiple aims, including strengthening their confidence and decision-making abilities, promoting healthy relationships and protecting their well-being.Christened ‘Manathil Urudhi Vendum’, the initiative has been put in place by the Perambalur district administration and the School Education Department by roping in the PENN (Protection and Empowerment of Naari) Trust to reach out to over 700 rural students — boys and girls — of three government schools.The programme specifically targets students of Classes IX to XII studying at the Government Higher Secondary Schools at Karai, Thenur and Nakasalem in Perambalur district. The initiative has been programmed for six months from September 2026 to February 2027.It was launched at the Government Higher Secondary School at Karai recently, during which the participating students were sensitised to the new initiative and its objectives. Ways of identifying and bringing out their latent talents were also explained to the students.The district administration authorities said the student-centred programmes would be conducted twice a month at the identified government schools with the involvement of resource persons from the PENN Trust. The ‘Manathil Urudhi Vendum’ initiative will have structured sessions designed to strengthen the students’ confidence, knowledge and decision-making abilities. It is also aimed at protecting their well-being, helping them make informed choices and promoting healthy relationships, among other objectives, the authorities said.The programmes, to be conducted in batches for the students, would feature activity-based and interactive sessions and use scenarios and practical exercises to make them interesting. The sessions would help students realise their latent talents and strengthen their confidence and decision-making abilities alongside their regular education, the authorities said.The sessions would also focus on ways of managing stress, building resilience, digital safety and gender equality, besides offering students tips on achieving their future aspirations. Feedback would be obtained from the participating students once the programmes conclude, the authorities said. Published - September 11, 2026 06:33 pm IST