Image Source: Tamil ABP Live
More than 30 Narikuravar children who had dropped out of school in Tiruppur district have been re-enrolled by personnel of the Singappen Special Task Force and officials from the Department of Child Welfare. The intervention has drawn praise for bringing the children back into the education system, even as their parents levelled serious allegations of discrimination against government school authorities, as reported in Tamil ABP Live.
Similar Intervention Was Carried Out During The DMK Regime
Arivoli Nagar, near Palladam in Tiruppur district, is home to over 140 Narikuravar families. In 2024, during the previous DMK government, officials from the School Education Department intervened after it was reported that more than 50 school-age children from the community were not attending school and were instead spending their time playing in the streets.
Following an inquiry, officials held discussions with the families, counselled the parents on the importance of education, and facilitated the admission of the children into nearby schools. The initiative was widely appreciated at the time.
Over 30 Children Found Out Of School Again
With the commencement of the 2026–27 academic year, reports emerged that more than 30 children from the same community were once again not attending school and were staying at home.
Acting on the information, personnel from the Singappen Special Task Force, along with Child Welfare Department officials, visited the locality and interacted with the families. Following discussions with the parents, the officials enrolled the children in a nearby government school.
Parents Allege Discrimination In School
While welcoming the officials’ intervention, parents from the Narikuravar community alleged that discrimination faced by their children in school was one of the key reasons behind their reluctance to attend classes.
According to the parents, their children had complained that they were not allowed to sit inside classrooms with other students because they belonged to the Narikuravar community. Instead, they were allegedly made to sit under trees or on staircases.
“Our children themselves tell us to come to the school and ask why they are being treated this way,” the parents reportedly told the officials.
They further alleged that when they questioned teachers about the treatment meted out to their children, they were told that the seating arrangement would continue as it was.
The parents said the practice of isolating their children had caused them severe emotional distress.
‘People Move Away From Us’
The families also spoke about the social discrimination they continue to face in everyday life.
“They move away from us when they see us. Some even cover their noses with a cloth. Have we become so inferior?” one of the parents asked.
The parents said that despite making efforts to integrate into mainstream society, including learning to speak Tamil fluently and leading what they described as a civilised life, they continue to face exclusion wherever they go.
They also highlighted their long-pending civic issues, stating that despite living in the locality for the past 26 years, they have neither received house-site pattas nor adequate civic amenities.
The residents alleged that garbage in their locality is cleared only once every ten days and questioned when their community would finally receive equal treatment and basic dignity.
Following the interaction, officials counselled the families and assured them that their grievances would be looked into while ensuring that the children continue their education.
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