Tribal Residential Schools Idle Since Last 6Months

The Tribal Residential Schools at Kathirimalai were found not functioning since last 6 months. A team of officials have rushed to the area (Kathirimalai), a remote tribal settlement area, following a complaint that the residential school there is not functioning and the appointed Headmaster not attending it for the past six months.

The matter came to light following a petition submitted during the weekly grievances meeting at the Collectorate on Monday. Kathirimalai is 28kmm away from Burgur in Anthiyur forest and one has to walk the distance as there is no bus or other transport facilities.

The tribal residential school was started in 1999. A teacher, Headmaster and cook had been appointed but only the teacher was attending school, sources said. The 75 children studying in the institution, who were brought to the Collector, also made an oral complaint about the staff's absence for long.

Following District Collector V.K. Shanmugam's order, a team of officials belonging to Education department, Adidravidar Welfare and Tribal department and Tahsildar of Bhavani have rushed to the area.

What is Tribal Residential School? What makes different from Today's Schools?
The residential school is run by the Scheduled Tribe and Schedule Caste Development Department. The school promotes a child-friendly environment. Walls are adorned with maps of the country, the alphabet and pictures of native plants and animals.

Here the children wear crisp school uniforms. Free food and accommodation are provided at the school. Teachers offer special coaching in the morning and evening to students who may not have been going to school regularly.