PTMs in schools on March 28 to promote HPV vaccination drive

In an effort to strengthen school education and parent engagement, the State Council of Educational Research and Training (SCERT) has directed government schools to organise a mega parent-teacher meeting (PTM) on March 28, with a strong focus on promoting awareness about HPV vaccination for adolescent girls, attendance monitoring through SMS alerts under MIS 2.0, skill education initiatives and reducing dropout rates.

The PTMs will be held from 8.30 am to 12.30 pm and will coincide with the declaration of annual results of non-board classes. This will provide parents with a direct platform to understand their child’s academic progress while also sensitising them to key government initiatives.

One of the major highlights of the campaign is awareness regarding HPV vaccination for 14-year-old girls. Schools have been instructed to educate parents about the ongoing vaccination drive and ensure maximum coverage by the end of April in coordination with the Health Department.

To address absenteeism, parents will also be briefed about the SMS-based attendance alert system under MIS 2.0. Under this system, they will receive alerts if their child remains absent for three consecutive days, enabling real-time monitoring and early intervention to prevent dropouts.

In a letter issued on March 20, SCERT further directed schools to utilise the PTM platform to promote skill education, particularly among students moving to higher classes. Parents of Class X students will be sensitised about vocational courses and future pathways aimed at aligning education with employability.

Officials said the broader objective of the mega PTM is to ensure 100 per cent parental participation and strengthen school–community engagement. Schools have been asked to reach out to parents through announcements, social media and direct invitations, especially targeting those who have missed previous PTMs.

With the new academic session scheduled to begin on April 1, the initiative is also expected to play a key role in ensuring regular attendance from the outset and preventing dropouts through active parental involvement.