The erratic power situation in the State has hit many institutions hard, and schools are some of the worst hit.
To cope with disruptions in power supply, the Chennai Corporation has begun efforts to get generators for its schools.
Tenders have been floated for the installation of 20 KVA/30 KVA/62.5 KVA generators in eight schools in Anna Nagar at an estimated cost of Rs. 33 lakh. Eleven schools in Thiru-Vi-Ka Nagar will receive 10 KVA/20 KVA/ 30 KVA/ 62.5 KVA generators at a cost of Rs. 54 lakh, a senior Corporation official said.
Another 11 schools in Teynampet will get 20 KVA/62.5 KVA generators at a cost of Rs. 47 lakh. All Chennai High and Higher Secondary Schools in other zones will also get generators. A number of private schools in the city use 10 KVA to 50 KVA generator sets. Bigger educational institutions use sets with capacities of 50 KVA to 500 KVA.
The initiative to get generators was announced a few months ago by the Corporation, in the wake of a number of power cuts. Most Chennai Schools have inadequate ventilation and poor lighting because of a lack of planning of the structures. With power cuts disrupting supply, teachers have reported serious difficulties in the process of teaching and getting students to carry out learning activities. Unscheduled power cuts have also affected students in the laboratory.
As the civic body is planning to begin smart classrooms in its schools, the generators will be essential to their functioning, the official said.
