Coffee with children: Corporation chief’s new forum to know school problems

“A proposal was already sent to the government and in the mature stage of approval. Once approved, the schools will be appended with the civic body and the students studying in those schools will also receive Corporation’s benefits,” he said after meeting students from Chennai Corporation school over coffee.

‘Coffee with Commissioner’ was first of its kind informal meeting organised by the civic body to ensure direct interaction with students and the Commissioner. Around 20 students from various Corporation schools were a part of the meeting.

During their interaction, Prakash advised students to use smartphones and television judiciously citing that the electronic devices deliver both good and bad messages. “Students should take good things only from technology. You should visit libraries regularly and ensure garbage segregation in your homes,” he advised.

A student pointed out that Koyambedu Chennai High School had won first prize in state-level Kabbadi competition and first prize in district-level volleyball tournament and asked the top official to expand the playground. At this, Prakash assured them of improving the facility.

“In cities like Chennai, space is a constraint. We will improve the ground by building an indoor sports facility,” he promised.

Speaking to the reporters, Prakash said that the meeting was aimed at knowing the needs of the students. “We will conduct a similar kind of meeting every month with different sets of students. This will help us to improve the schools,” he said.

V Divyadarshini, Class 11 student of MH Road Chennai Higher Secondary School said that she would pass on the Commissioner’s advice to her friends. “The meeting helped us understand more about the society and especially the importance of sanitation,” she said.