Children should be brought into the knowledge-driven world of the modern era, Agriculture Minister T. Siddique has said. He was inaugurating the Wayanad district-level ‘Pravesanotsavam’ (school reopening festival) at Government Higher Secondary School, Perikkalloor, on Monday (June 1).

“The period of education should be transformed into a phase that nurtures children with love, care, and inclusiveness, while preparing them to become part of the knowledge-driven world,” the Minister said. Mr. Siddique said schools should become spaces that spread happiness. “Children, who are the future, should learn with joy and enthusiasm. As they grow up, there will be occasions when they need to say ‘no’. They must develop the confidence to refuse what is wrong and protect themselves from undesirable influences,” he said.

The Minister stressed the need for teachers and parents to work together to ensure that no child, including those from tribal areas, remains outside the school system.

Referring to the construction of the Bairakuppa bridge, Mr. Siddique said efforts were being made under the leadership of Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, MP, to realise the project without adversely affecting the forest ecosystem.

I.C. Balakrishnan, MLA, presided. Wayanad district panchayat president Chandrika Krishnan and Mullankolly grama panchayat president Lissy Sabu attended.