Rs 3.6 lakh spent to teach 2 kids-Chennai-Cities-The Times of India

Rs 3.6 lakh spent to teach 2 kids-Chennai-Cities-The Times of India

Rs 3.6 lakh spent to teach 2 kids
25 Apr 2008, 0349 hrs IST,V Mayilvaganan,TNN
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The only two students at an elementary school
The only two students at the Adi Dravida Welfare Elementary School at Dharmanathapuram (TOI Photo)
TIRUCHI: S Antony Joshua and A Akash enjoy the privilege of an expensive elementary education. The two are neither rich nor are they studying in an elite school. It is just that they are the only two students in the Adi Dravida Welfare Elementary School at Dharmanathapuram in Tiruchi, which spent about Rs 3.6 lakh this academic year for their education.

While schools in the country are struggling to achieve an ideal teacher-student ratio of 1:20, this school has been functioning with two teachers and a 1: 1 ratio. In fact, it was worse last year, with only one girl attending the school. When A Padmini too left the school after passing fifth standard, head mistress Karupayi had to undertake door-to-door canvassing to enroll students. She could convince only two parents, who after much hesitation agreed to admit their wards.

Antony and Akash studying third and second standards respectively seem to enjoy the "school" thoroughly. One reason could be the absence of a cane. "I do not punish them for fear that they too might stop coming here," says Karupayi. There were even occasions when both the children play truant on the same day and the teachers get a break.

The six-decade-old school functioning in a single room once enjoyed the patronage of parents from far off villages like Sangiliandapuram and Khajamalai. More than 400 students had studied in the school then with seven teachers to take care of them. "That was the time when Adi Dravida students were not admitted into other schools. As more schools mushroomed in the locality and started enrolling Adi Dravida students, parents chose to admit their wards into them," says Karuppayi.

The enrollment started dwindling in the last few years after cracks appeared in the school building. Students too stopped coming to the school.

District collector T Soundiah said a report on the school was sent to the Directorate of Adi Dravida Welfare. In its reply in February 2008, the Directorate agreed that it was practically impossible to run the school with just two students. It suggested the two students be transferred to a nearby school, until land for a new school building was identified.