‘Akkaareya Angala’ summer camps for rural schoolchildren commenced across the district on Thursday, with Zilla Panchayat Chief Executive Officer Nandini K.R. issuing a warning of strict action against officials in case of lapses or lack of coordination in organising the camps.

Emphasising accountability, she said the initiative is aimed at providing quality learning along with recreational opportunities for children in rural areas. The directive comes in the wake of the successful implementation of the programme last year, which was conducted in coordination with Arivu centres, the Rural Development and Panchayat Raj (RDPR) Department and the Education Department.

At a meeting held in Mandya on Thursday, the CEO has directed that the camps be conducted compulsorily in all gram panchayat limits from April 17 to May 26. Librarians, teachers and Panchayat Development Officers have been instructed to work in close coordination.

Arivu centres and libraries at panchayat headquarters will function as the main venues, while school premises will be utilised in villages lacking such facilities. Block Resource Persons, Cluster Resource Persons and teachers have been entrusted with the task of running the camps, with nodal officers to be appointed for each panchayat.

The 34-day camps will feature a mix of academic and co-curricular activities, including mathematics and science-based learning, art, music, dance, yoga and skill development. Officials have been asked to start student enrolment and issue ID cards with details such as name, age, school and village. A target has been set to cover at least 80% of students from Classes 5 to 10 in each gram panchayat.

The camps will be held daily from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., and authorities have been directed to widely publicise details of venues, timings and activities through social media.

Monitoring will be carried out at both taluk and district levels, with a spreadsheet-based system in place for daily reporting. All departments have been instructed to coordinate effectively to ensure the success of the initiative.