Chennai: In a novel move to attract more students and raise the standards of govt schools, the school education department has launched an initiative to engage former students as ‘alumni ambassadors‘. These distinguished alumni, who have excelled in various fields, will help guide the students, mobilize resources, and act as the public face of their schools.

The department has started inviting applications from former students, who will be selected by the respective school management committees (SMCs). Once appointed, the ambassadors will work closely with headmasters and SMC members to organize donations, expand opportunities, and support overall school functioning. They will also share updates about the school’s activities, needs, and achievements, representing the school to the wider community.

This initiative is part of the govt’s ‘Vizhudhugal’ programme, launched on Jan 9, 2024, aimed at involving alumni to guide students, boost enrolment, and reduce dropouts.

School education secretary B Chandramohan said, “The larger idea is to bring in distinguished alumni willing to contribute to the development of their schools. Previously, corporates contributed through the Namma School Namma Ooru Palli Thittam, but now alumni are actively participating in developmental activities, which benefits the schools.”

In the first phase, the govt plans to appoint ambassadors in 8,209 schools. Applicants must have studied in the govt school for at least two years and act without social, political, or cultural bias. Alumni can apply online until Aug 30.

Vetri Selvan, a former student of Govt Higher Secondary School in Namakkal district and currently working at an IT firm, said, “Such initiatives improves our management skills, and it is fulfilling to work for the school you studied in. I’ll be happy to contribute if selected.”