For years, the Government Middle School at Padi Kuppam Main Road in Mogappair has been neglected. It lacks amenities such as safe drinking water, clean toilets, good illumination, neat classrooms and uninterrupted power supply.
Located off Poonamallee High Road, the school has a sprawling campus. It has a large playground. Except for the playground, there is nothing impressive about the school. The school was started more than two decades ago and has around 200 students on its rolls. It has a dozen classrooms, most of which are in a dilapidated condition with the cement plastering on the roof peeling off exposing the steel beams in them. Many wooden benches in the classrooms are damaged.
“The enrolment rate at the government school has reduced over the years. However, for children from the low income group, the school is the only available option,” said K.Rani, a resident of Mogappair.
The spacious playground can accommodate at least 800 students at a time for various sports activities. However, the playground has only a few facilities.
Worse still, many a time, the playground is turned into a parking lot for private vehicles, especially tourist cabs whose drivers live in the neighbourhood. After sunset, the school becomes a den for anti-socials.
“We want the school to have better facilities and more staff in all departments including sports. More importantly, the school authorities should be in close touch with the residents in the neighbourhood for the betterment of the children’s future,” said G.Kalaivani, a resident of Mogappair.
