The Government High School at Gujjampalayam at Gundri Hills, which was upgraded two years ago, lacks sufficient classrooms and the students are forced to study in a temporary bamboo shed covered with plastic sheets.
Located in Sathyamangalam Panchayat Union, about 100 km from Erode, the primary school was started in 1963 to cater to the children of Gundri Panchayat that has 22 villages. The school was upgraded into middle school in 2010 and made high school in 2017.
At present, the school has a strength of 107 students in Classes 1 to 5, and 108 students in Classes 6 to 10.
The students of Classes 9 and 10 do not have classrooms and the parents raised the issue with the school headmaster. Following this, a bamboo shed was constructed a year ago, with financial contribution from parents and teachers. The students of Classes 6 and 7 where shifted to the shed and their classrooms are being used to conduct classes for Classes 9 and 10.
During rainy season and intense summer, it becomes difficult for students to sit inside the shed and they have to share the classrooms with students of other sections, the parents said and demanded better facilities at the school. The school also lacks staff rooms.
Land identified
Education Department officials told The Hindu that though there was sufficient land near the school for the construction of classrooms, it has been earmarked for grazing by the Department of Animal Husbandry. It needs to be transferred in the name of Chief Education Officer to begin construction work. Alternative land, which needs to be handed over to the Department of Animal Husbandry, has been identified at Makkampalayam village and transferring is in progress.
“After completing the process, classrooms would be constructed with NABARD funding”, the officials said.
