The Hindu : Front Page : School dropouts on rise in Chennimalai

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Nov 28, 2007
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School dropouts on rise in Chennimalai

R. Sundaram

ERODE: Chennimalai town, home to many weavers, has a number of school dropouts.

Not because children dread going to schools or are not enthusiastic to learn the ‘three Rs’ but the town does not have government high schools for the poor weaver’s children.

Most handloom weavers are illiterate and many put thumb impressions on salary vouchers, loan applicatons etc. But they don’t want their fate to befall their children and are driven by a desire to give them good education and make them professonals.

There are only two aided higher secondary schools in Chennimalai town and surrounding areas, one for boys and other for girls.

No Govt schools

There is no Government Higher Secondary School in Chennimalai and nearby. The weavers residing in Ammapalayam, Melapalayam, Kamarajnagar, Pidariyur and Chennimalai town send their children to Panchayat Middle School till the seventh standard. After they pass the seventh standard they have to join the aided higher secondary schools in Chennimalai.

A middle school teacher said: “Every year about 650 students pass out of the five panchayat middle schools in and around Chennimalai. Of whom only 250 join the two aided higher secondary schools.”

According to the parents “aided schools take a four-digit donation for building and Parents Teachers Association (PTA) funds. But they don’t give proper receipts”.

The economic status of many weavers is very poor and they cannot afford donations.

Because of this more than 50 per cent students who pass the seventh standard have to give up studies.

The education department officials said representations had been sent to the government to start a high school in Chennimalai.

The weavers have requested the District Collector to upgrade one or two middle schools as high schools and then higher secondary schools.

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