No basic amenities, kids at this school study in open

OWING to inadequate infrastructure at Muthaliyarpatti Government Higher Secondary School near Kadayam, many students have to brave the elements daily. They are forced to attend classes under trees or inside a makeshift shed located on a nearby parcel of government land. As a result, many children have developed health issues like allergies and itches.

- Thinakaran Rajamani @ Tenkasi

When TNIE visited the school, students highlighted the lack of basic facilities such as toilets, a playground, proper labs, and drinking water filters. "Due to insufficient number of classrooms, teachers take classes under trees, inside the shed, or even on a pathway in front of the headmistress's room. Many of the classrooms that do exist have no fans. The children are also forced to play on a narrow pathway next to the school due to the dearth of a playground," a student said.