The Government Lower Primary School, Mattathilbhagom in Arookutty panchayat, gives its students more than just an education. It's giving them new clothes.

While other government schools struggle with falling student numbers, the Mattathilbhagom school has more than 750 students on its rolls from Classes I to V. Maybe because it is more than just a school.

The PTA here has implemented several projects to attract children and help out parents. In a first of its kind initiative in the state, the PTA is setting up a textile shop where parents can pick out clothes for free to their children studying here. The 'shop' which will open its doors on Thursday is being set up in a classroom with around 70 pieces.

"Most of the children in the school are from poor families. Their parents work in prawn peeling sheds and fish processing centres in the panchayat," said headmaster Ashok Kumar. "Our village is one of the more backward panchayats in the state and around 50 per cent of the families come under the BPL category.

They cannot afford new clothes for their children, so the PTA decided to open the textile shop with the help of its members, staff and well-wishers."

PTA president Abdul Khadar said the PTA distributes educational kits, including uniform, bags, textbooks, notebooks, pencil, water bottles and other items to all students. "The new initiative will be a boost to the poor people from the locality. Many people came forward to donate clothes; more items will be added in the coming days," he said.

Apart from creating many facilities to protect the public education system, school authorities also organise training in paper bag, chalk and candle making, LED bulb production and chicken farming for parents. After the training, many parents take this up to supplement their income.