Students of the Government Panchayat Union Middle School in Kottaiyur, Vellore, are attending classes in the open after dilapidated buildings were demolished in 2024. Despite government promises of reconstruction, 134 children face severe hardships as the monsoon approaches.

  • 134 students, including 67 girls, are studying under tree shades in Kottaiyur village.
  • Two school buildings were demolished in mid-2024 due to structural fragility.
  • Total lack of toilet facilities for boys following the demolition.
  • Students are facing health issues due to exposure to insects and rain.

In a stark display of administrative negligence, students at the Government Panchayat Union Middle School in Kottaiyur, a farming village at the foothills of Jawadhu Hills in Vellore, have been forced to conduct their daily lessons under the shade of trees. This crisis began in mid-2024 when two buildings containing four classrooms were demolished due to their fragile condition, with the explicit promise from authorities that new structures would be erected immediately.

The institution, established in 1954 and spanning 8,000 sq. ft., was once a pillar of the local community. However, after plaster began peeling off the ceilings, the School Education Department ordered the demolition. While the intent was to prevent accidents, the execution has left the students in a precarious position. Headmaster G. Sridhar highlighted a critical sanitation crisis, noting that while some washrooms exist for girls, the boys' facilities were demolished and never rebuilt.

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Why This Matters

BozokMedia analysis shows that this situation reflects a dangerous gap between policy and implementation. The demolition drive was a reactive measure following the 2021 Tirunelveli tragedy, but the failure to provide temporary or permanent alternatives demonstrates a lack of contingency planning. When the state removes a physical structure without a replacement, it effectively disrupts the constitutional right to education for the most marginalized sections of society.

The transition from a dilapidated building to an open field is not a safety upgrade; it is a systemic failure of the educational infrastructure.

Local residents, including R. Bakiyam, have expressed deep concern over the safety and health of the children. With the Northeast monsoon imminent, the lack of a roof is a dire threat. Furthermore, the demolition of the school's compound wall has left the campus open, exposing students to mosquitoes and insects, which has already led to increased illness among younger children.

According to education officials, this school is one of 812 identified for demolition across Vellore, Tiruvannamalai, Ranipet, and Tirupattur. The drive was triggered by the death of three students in Tirunelveli on December 17, 2021, caused by a collapsing toilet wall. While officials claim the District Collector will be apprised of the situation, the students continue to suffer in the open.

Did You Know?: In some parts of the world, 'Forest Schools' are a deliberate pedagogical choice, but in Kottaiyur, it is a forced consequence of administrative apathy.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1: Why are students studying under trees in Vellore?
A: Their school buildings were demolished in 2024 for safety reasons, but new classrooms have not yet been constructed.

Q2: What is the current health risk to the students?
A: Exposure to rain and insects due to the lack of walls and roofs has led to several students falling sick.