Alumni, parents help reopening of primary school in The Nilgiris after 11 years

May 29, 2016 12:00 am | Updated 05:46 am IST - COIMBATORE:

New innings:The Panchayat Union Primary School at Honnathalai in Udhagamandalam Union, The Nilgiris, started functioning from November 1956.— Photo:Special arrnagement

New innings:The Panchayat Union Primary School at Honnathalai in Udhagamandalam Union, The Nilgiris, started functioning from November 1956.— Photo:Special arrnagement

A Tamil medium primary school in The Nilgiris which was closed eleven years ago has been reopened owing to the efforts of alumni and parents. The medium of education will be English.

The Panchayat Union Primary School at Honnathalai in Udhagamandalam Union, The Nilgiris, has a long history dating back to November 1956 when it started functioning from a private building. From June 1975, the school functioned from its own building.

It was closed in 2005 as parents of the Tamil medium school wanted to enrol their children in English medium schools that had mushroomed in the locality. According to villagers, the private schools teaching through English medium surfaced about 16 years ago offering pick-up and drop facilities for the children. As parents were interested in getting their children study though English medium, student strength at the panchayat union school started declining.

Over the decade, the villagers, mostly farmers, realised that education at a private school was expensive, especially when economy was in a shambles owing to poor price for tea.

This was another reason for the villagers to turn back and reopen the school.

A few weeks ago, village elders, alumni and parents approached the Assistant Education Officer of Udhagamandalam, M.R. Desingh, with a representation to reopen the school.

While the minimum strength required to run a government primary school is 20, Chief Education Officer T. Ganeshamoorthi said there were 47 children in the eligible age group in that village. “Parents of nearly 30 children have come forward to enrol their ward here this academic year. Based on their assurance, efforts have been taken to reopen the school,” he told The Hindu.

A headmaster has been appointed and two teachers from other schools have been posted on deputation. With many children in the nearby villages expected to join, the strength may go up when admissions open on June 1.

The Honnathalai School was inspired by the primary school at Kookal Thurai near Deenatti (four km from Honnathalai) which was closed temporarily for a couple of years before it was reopened with the support of villagers three years ago. “Last year, the school at Kookal Thurai had 60 students and bagged the the government’s best school award,” Mr. Desingh said.

The medium of education will be English, wooing back those who opt for private schools

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