Public lock dilapidated school, seek new building

More than 300 students from nearby villages like Ariyapakkam, Pillaichatiram and Thodur besides those from Neervalur study in the school, which has classes from standard 1 to 8. 

The school’s main block, which was built more than 40 years ago, is in a dangerous state, which becomes worse during the rainy season. The students cannot use the classrooms when it rains because of leak in the ceiling. The villagers filed a petition to the Block Development Officer (BDO) and Educational department some time ago. They appealed for the old building to be demolished and a new one be constructed in its place. However, there has been no response from the officials till date.

Agitated over this, villagers, who gathered in front of the school in the early hours of Tuesday for a protest, locked the building and demanded immediate reconstruction of the same. The protesters were joined by several students along with their parents.

The villagers claimed that they will open the gate only after getting a proper response from the officials. On information, the Walajabad police reached the spot and tried to convince the protestors but the villagers were not ready to listen to them. Later, the officials from the BDO office and Education department visited the spot. Following the assurance given by the officials that they would do the needful, the protesters dispersed around 10.30 am and the classes began after that. 

When contacted, Walajabad BDO Sivakalaiselvan told DTNext, “The building will be demolished on Saturday. We have prepared an estimation costing Rs 12.7 lakh for the new building. The construction work will begin within a month.”