News Tamil Nadu

Overcrowded And Underfunded: SC Girls’ Hostel In Sivakasi Highlights Severe Government Neglect

September 18, 2024
The Commune

Another indication of the systemic neglect faced by Scheduled Caste students in Tamil Nadu government schools is the situation of the Government Adi Dravidar School Girls’ Hostel in Sivakasi. Despite being upgraded to a college girls’ hostel, it has been operating in a rented facility since its demolition eight years ago. This has created significant challenges for the students, as more than fifty girls are crammed into a single hall and share just two toilets. This overcrowding is a stark reflection of the government’s failure to provide adequate facilities and is an embarrassment that highlights ongoing issues in supporting these students.

Originally located near Sivakasi’s Sirukulam Kanmai area, the hostel was dismantled in 2016 as part of efforts to clear encroachments on water bodies. Following this, the hostel relocated to the Adi Dravidar Student Hostel in Satchiyapuram, where it has been functioning in a rented space since. In 2023, it was officially upgraded to serve college girls.

Currently, this rented facility has only two rooms, one hall, and three toilets to accommodate over 40 students from Sivakasi Government Arts and Science College and more than 50 from private colleges. The cramped conditions have created a crisis for the students, who struggle with inadequate storage, limited restroom facilities, and the challenge of managing their schedules efficiently. Furthermore, the sewage tank frequently overflows, causing unsanitary conditions in the living area.

Speaking to the press, one of the students living in the hostel said, “In this hostel students from far places like Theni, Tenkasi, and Sankarankovil are staying here to study. There is no space; we have only two rooms and a hall. In those two rooms, there isn’t enough space for our luggage, so we have to keep our belongings in the hall where we also staying and sleeping. It’s very cramped, and we are having a hard time finding enough space to sleep.”

Another student lamented that, “The restrooms here are improper. There are three restrooms, but one of them has no toilet facility. This leaves only two restrooms for the 52 of us, making it very difficult to bathe and get ready.”

Parents have expressed their concerns, stating that with over 50 students residing in the hostel, the situation has become untenable. They highlighted the difficulties the girls face in terms of personal hygiene, laundry, and even basic daily activities like studying and eating. They urge the authorities to secure a safer accommodation with essential amenities.

In response, District Adi Dravidar Welfare Officer Ramesh mentioned that a project proposal for a new building for the Sivakasi Adi Dravidar College student hostel has been submitted to the government. Preliminary steps are being taken to acquire a suitable government site at Sivakasi Government College. He assured that efforts are underway to find a safer location with adequate facilities for the students and that a move will happen soon.

Dalit activists, reflecting on the situation, share a starkly different perspective. They highlight that the girls reported their concerns to the Adi Dravidar Welfare Board Commissioner, who visited them at 9:30 PM, allegedly sent the warden away, verbally abused the girls, and issued threats. They emphasize that approximately 80 percent of the SC/ST budget is designated for Adi Dravidar schools and hostels, yet these funds have not translated into better conditions.

Recently, a young female reporter was also threatened by the DMK government’s Adi Dravidar Welfare Commissioner for covering the dire state of the Mylapore Boys’ Adi Dravidar Hostel in Chennai. This pattern of neglect and mistreatment of Dalit students has persisted under both the AIADMK and DMK parties for decades, with the current DMK administration seemingly perpetuating this disappointment. Activists question the whereabouts of the Adi Dravidar Minister Kayalvizhi N, as well as the MLAs and MPs from reserved constituencies. In response, the children have submitted a petition to the Sivakasi collector regarding these issues.

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