Chennai's nursery schools to come under the scanner

The Chennai Corporation has decided to register and inspect all nursery schools in the city.

Announcing 132 welfare and development schemes at the Corporation Budget meeting on Wednesday, Mayor Saidai Duraisamy said the registration system for nursery schools in the city will be launched this year under the Public Health Act.

“Private schools are mushrooming in the city. Many of the schools are not well-maintained and children are exposed to health risks. We have received many complaints regarding poor sanitary facilities in nursery schools. They need to be regulated to protect the children,” said Mr. Duraisamy.

“We will come out with guidelines for the schools shortly. The premises should have infrastructure for proper toilets, drinking water and hygiene. If we find anything injurious to public health, we will close down such schools,” said a senior official of Chennai Corporation.

Special Schools

The civic body will also launch special schools for children with learning disability or intellectual disability. “Most students do not get the right care and therapy. There is an acute need for more special schools for children with learning disability or intellectual disability in and around the city. Many such students are presently studying in regular schools or from home. The special schools will provide therapy and skill development,” said Mr. Duraisamy.

Students of Chennai Corporation schools, who secure the top three ranks at the State level in the public examinations, will be awarded Rs. 50,000 to pursue their higher education.

Other announcements pertaining to education include residential schools for orphans, homeless and poor students from Standard VI to XII, and increased scholarship matching the fee fixed by government for free seats in professional colleges.

White overcoats and safety goggles for Chemistry students to protect their eyes, Tamil and English newspapers for every class in all the Chennai Schools, twenty five additional kindergarten schools, English medium section in all primary and middle schools and buses for Chennai Schools are some of the other announcements.

Announcements on public health include naturopathy services at urban primary health centres, 40 additional urban primary health centres, eight urban community health care centres for secondary healthcare, Chennai City Urban Health Mission to oversee health care delivery and diagnostic centres in Tiruvottiyur and Sholinganallur.