In an effort to combat issues of drug use in schools, the School Education Department is formulating mechanisms to set up anti-drug clubs in schools, a helpline and a mobile app for teachers. These initiatives were in the Budget announcement made by Finance Minister Marie Wilson on Wednesday.
School Education Secretary B. Chandra Mohan said, “Emotional well-being is a prerequisite to lead good lives, which is being done in the curriculum. We will also look to strengthen this through these initiatives. This is a comprehensive approach to address the problems.”
While appropriate life skills are being introduced to children, awareness surrounding the impact of drugs, its abuse, avoiding peer pressure and urges to use will be discussed. Further teachers will also be trained to identify students with emotional or social vulnerabilities, an official from the School Education Department said.
A school teacher will be the nodal officer for enforcing and functioning of anti-drug clubs in their respective schools. The department will also launch a helpline 10581 to offer counselling for students against drug use. Further, a Drug-Free T.N. mobile app will be launched for the teachers to report any instance of use in the campus.
A system will be formulated to map the functioning of the helpline. “The service is open to all students in Tamil Nadu and private schools will also be advised to use the services,” the Secretary added.
Measures will also be taken to introduce students to other platforms such as sports to channel their energy. The department is presently working out the requirements of the mobile app and getting the proposals for the same ready.
Clean campuses
Finally, satisfying a long-pending demand of the teachers to appoint cleaning and security staff for schools, the Finance Minister had announced in the Budget that the Super Clean Super Campus will be implemented in 10,000 schools in the first phase.
A total of ₹139 crore has been allocated for this scheme where schools will get upgraded water and toilet facilities and 24-hour security.
Speaking about the scheme, the secretary said the idea was to professionalise the cleaning services required for the schools. The department is working out the operational factors of the initiative and the orders will be given out soon. “The schools under the initiative will be chosen based on the campus size and student strength,” he added.
Published – August 07, 2026 01:00 am IST
