The Hindu Business Line : Tsunami: Thin attendance in Govt schools

THE winter vacation is over and it's time for schools to reopen. But in the tsunami-hit areas of the city, it is a different story altogether, with the fisherfolk and their children still struggling to come to terms with reality.

In the Foreshore Estate area, along the coast, there was a mixed trend at Government and corporation schools. While some were closed, (though the official opening date is Monday), others had thin attendance, and a few schools were "taken over" by the tsunami victims.

The Government Primary School at Pattinapakkam has a student strength of 245; but it wore a deserted look on Monday, apart from a few anxious parents wanting to know if classes were on.

The school is in a shambles after the killer waves hit the building.

The classrooms are littered with sand and the noon-meal kitchen too is in disarray, with the water having seeped into the sacks that stored pulses.

"The waves damaged the gates, the water came up till waist-height, carrying with it lots of sand," says Ms S. Saraswathi, a teacher here.

A few volunteers from nearby colleges are cleaning the classrooms so that classes can resume. But will they?

"Parents are scared to send their children to our school, as it is close to the sea. Some of them have even asked for TC, as they want to move out of this area. Children too are scared and parents tell us they are unable to sleep properly at night," says Ms D. Lalitha, headmistress.

Most children have lost their books and uniform. "But that's the least of our problems. The question is will parents send their children to our school, even in the distant future. The school has always closed due to rains or floods for a few days, but this event is something I have never seen in 31 years of service. What does the future hold in store, I wonder," rues Ms Lalitha. At the corporation school in Dooming Kuppam nearby, however, the school authorities have made efforts to persuade parents to send their children to school. Though the school has a total strength of 96, only 27 children were present in the classes today.

"We will not have classes today. We began the day with prayers for the well-being of everyone. We will counsel children, give them courage and confidence," assures Ms Caroline Thomas, a teacher. Teachers hope things will improve in the days to come.

Ms Tanima, who sent her two daughters to the school, says, "I think it is better for children to be in the company of other kids, instead of being stuck in the fishing area all alone."

While teachers at the corporation school at Santhome have all turned in for duty, there are no students. The opening day has been rescheduled for January 5.

Teachers here are dismayed that the victims who have made their makeshifts homes in the school campus do not pay much heed to hygiene and cleanliness. "The school is in bad shape. The toilets are dirty; the sewage systems are all clogged. Clothes are lying about here and there... " laments a teacher.

The teachers aren't too hopeful of good attendance once school reopens. "We don't even know where our students are. Some of them could have gone to their native village. We don't know if they will return. There is no news about the casualties. All we want is to see their faces."

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