What the flood has left behind is a mere structure ravaged by the elements – filth-thickened floors, walls bearing the marks of ceiling-high water and classrooms strewn with debris. But students of Koipuram Government Higher Secondary School (GHSS) will be returning to a spanking new space when the school reopens, with everything they need for their studies.
Responding to Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan’s appeal to join the reconstruction activities, the Kollam City police have adopted the school in flood-shattered Pathanamthitta which they plan to transform into something positive and pleasant for its students.
“We chanced upon this neglected government school during a clean-up drive and what we saw was really pathetic. The school has only 68 students and nearly all belong to underprivileged sections. When we found the entire infrastructure in ruins, we decided to step in and help the children,” says District Police Chief (Kollam City) Arul B. Krishna.
The school currently requires a lot of repair and supplies and the force will be arranging all that before the reopening. “A good portion of the furniture and electrical appliances need replacing and a fresh coat of paint is also needed. For the last four days we have been cleaning the school and repairs will start shortly. Right now our aim is to make the school fit for reopening.”
He adds that the entire cleaning and repairing works will be handled by the force and nothing will be outsourced. “We will provide all the manpower along with a small financial aid. We are currently taking turns, so that we can retain the minimum 50% strength at stations. Kollam is one of the least affected districts and our entire force is volunteering to rebuild other flood-hit regions,” he says.
The police will also provide the students with a fresh sets of uniform, bags and all study material they require. “Some of them have lost all their belongings and so we will be arranging three or four pairs of dress as well.”
Mr. Krishna says the City police have forged a bond with the 68 children through the initiative and they plan to maintain the ties in future also. “We are thinking about sponsoring students as the next phase. As of now we have no concrete plans, but we will be doing everything to strengthen this bond,” he says.
