A sharp drop in Tamil Nadu’s birth rate and a corresponding fall in student enrolment have compelled the state government to temporarily shut down 208 of its primary and middle schools this academic year, according to the Department of Elementary Education (DEE).

Fresh data from the DEE reveals that 1,204 schools across the state did not register a single new admission in 2024-25. This list includes 208 state-run institutions, 114 government-aided schools, 11 partially funded schools, 869 private schools, and two Central government institutions. Among the government-run schools, 157 fall under the School Education Department, 13 under the Adi Dravida Welfare Department, 19 under Social Welfare, and eight under Tribal Welfare. A senior DEE official said the closures are not permanent.

“Operations will resume when enrolment picks up in the affected areas. The trend of low admissions is visible across all types of school managements and departments,” the official noted. Most of the affected schools are in rural or remote locations where there are very few children of school-going age. In some cases, students who enrolled in June have since migrated with their parents to other regions. Officials attribute the fall in government school admissions to urban migration, parents opting for private English-medium schools, and shifting livelihood patterns. Population statistics underscore the scale of the demographic change.

According to the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare’s population projections for 2011-2036, the number of children aged 0-1 years in Tamil Nadu fell from 10.74 lakh in 2011 to 9.53 lakh in 2021 and is expected to decline further to 8.78 lakh by 2026. The state’s total fertility rate (TFR) has dropped from 1.68 during 2011-15 to 1.54 in the current period (2021-25), well below the replacement level of 2.1. Public Health Department records show that live births decreased from 9.02 lakh in 2023 to 8.46 lakh in 2024 a year-on-year fall of 6.2 per cent. Education authorities caution that while the current closures are temporary, sustained declines in birth rates and enrolments may require a long-term restructuring of school infrastructure, staff allocation, and educational planning in the state.

-IANS

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The post Dravidian Model: Over 200 Govt Schools Shut Due to Low Admission appeared first on The Commune.

The roof of a Dravidian Model government school building constructed just a year ago in Tamil Nadu’s Erode district collapsed on Sunday (20 July 2025), triggering concerns over the quality and safety of public infrastructure projects. The incident occurred at the Panchayat Union Middle School in Kugalur near Gobichettipalayam. The building, inaugurated by Chief Minister M.K. Stalin in July 2024, had been built at an estimated cost of ₹64.33 lakh.

Fortunately, the collapse happened on a holiday when the school was closed, and no students or teachers were present at the time. The incident has reignited public criticism over recurring structural failures in government school buildings across the state.

Over the past year, similar roof collapses have been reported from various districts, sparking allegations of poor construction standards and lack of accountability. While no injuries were reported in this particular incident, parents and local residents have expressed growing fears about the safety of children attending government-run schools.

In response to the incident, former BJP state president K. Annamalai issued a sharp statement demanding transparency and accountability from the ruling DMK government. In a post on his X account, Annamalai questioned the lack of action against the contractors responsible for such unsafe constructions. He wrote, “In July 2024, the roof of the middle school building in Kugalur Panchayat Union, near Gobichettipalayam in Erode district, constructed at a cost of ₹64.33 lakh and inaugurated by Chief Minister @mkstalin, collapsed yesterday. Fortunately, as it was a holiday, there were no students or teachers in the classroom, narrowly avoiding a major accident. Across Tamil Nadu, the collapse of government school building roofs has become daily news. It is utterly unacceptable that the DMK government acts so carelessly even in constructing buildings for school children. Have the lives of children from poor and humble backgrounds, studying in government schools, become so insignificant to the DMK government? Over the past four years, we have already raised questions about which districts the DMK government has built new school buildings in. In response, the School Education Minister, who is also the president of the Udhayanidhi fan club, merely wrote letters to every constituency MLA and left it at that. The School Education Minister, busy with publicity shoots, must transparently inform the public about who the contractors were for the collapsed school buildings and what actions the DMK government has taken against them. Furthermore, subjecting all the buildings constructed by the DMK government over the past four years to quality assurance testing would be beneficial for people from all sections of society.”

கடந்த 2024 ஆம் ஆண்டு ஜூலை மாதம், ₹64.33 லட்சம் மதிப்பீட்டில் கட்டப்பட்டு, முதலமைச்சர் திரு. @mkstalin அவர்களால் திறந்து வைக்கப்பட்ட, ஈரோடு மாவட்டம் கோபிசெட்டிபாளையம் அருகே உள்ள கூகலூர் ஊராட்சி ஒன்றிய நடுநிலைப் பள்ளிக் கட்டிடத்தின் மேற்கூரை நேற்று இடிந்து விழுந்திருக்கிறது.… pic.twitter.com/KxYnO3xUut

— K.Annamalai (@annamalai_k) July 21, 2025

A Look At Dravidian Model Schools

Ceiling collapses in Dravidian Model schools, that too newly renovated ones are not new. Here is a list of such instances from the past few months.

#1 Krishnagiri

On 27 August 2024, three Class 11 students were injured when ceiling plaster fell at a newly opened government school in Krishnagiri. Built with MP funds, the incident sparked protests by over 50 parents demanding action against the contractor for alleged poor construction. Authorities assured accountability and safety measures.

#2 Thiruporur

On 9 August 2024, the ceiling of a classroom at a government school in Thiruporur collapsed, injuring five female students and sparking protests from parents who questioned the quality of the construction. The incident occurred at the Government Higher Secondary School in Siruthavur village, which serves over 350 students. At around 2 PM on 8 August 2024, a section of the ceiling in a Class 10 room gave way while 48 students were inside. Five girls sustained injuries and were promptly transported to the Thiruporur government hospital. According to police sources, two of the students were treated and sent home, while Suji, Prathikshaw, and Tamilrasi were admitted with multiple injuries.

#3 Kanchipuram

In another incident in July 2024, the ceiling of a newly constructed Panchayat Union Middle School near Kanchipuram collapsed, causing significant concern. The building, completed three months prior at an estimated cost of ₹62 lakhs, had its ceiling in one classroom suddenly give way. The incident resulted in a fan blade bending. Fortunately, the students were on the ground at the time, offering their prayers, and no one was injured. In response, parents demanded an immediate investigation by the District Collector into the building’s stability and called for strict action against those responsible. The Panchayat Union Primary and Middle Schools in Kuruvimalai had three new structures erected at a cost of ₹61.73 lakhs before the last parliamentary elections.

#4 Tirupattur

On 3 March 2024, three students from a government school near Vaniyambadi were seriously injured when the roof of a newly inaugurated classroom gave way. The collapse occurred at a panchayat union primary school in Shankarapuram, Tirupattur district.

#5 Vaniyambadi

Three students were seriously injured when the roof of a newly inaugurated classroom collapsed at a panchayat union primary school in Shankarapuram, Vaniyambadi, Tirupattur district, on 4 March 2025. The building, constructed in 2023–2024 at a cost of ₹21 lakh with funds from AIADMK MLA Senthilkumar, had been inaugurated in August 2024. The injured students, Praneeth (Class 1), Sudarsan (Class 3), and Vishek, were rescued and taken to a private hospital.

#6 Dindigul

Seven students were injured on 7 March 2025 when the roof of a recently repaired fourth-grade classroom collapsed at Dindigul Corporation Middle School. The school, built in 2009 during the DMK government, has faced structural issues, prompting ₹1 crore worth of repairs, including the affected classroom. The incident sparked panic among parents and led to the suspension of Assistant Executive Engineer Thiagarajan. Former AIADMK Minister C. Sreenivasan blamed substandard construction, while DMK Minister I. Periyasamy defended government efforts, attributing the collapse to an older faulty repair.

#7 Tiruvarur

On 7 April 2025, a roof collapse at a government middle school in Sekalangiri village, Tiruvarur district, injured four students during class. One student was seriously hurt and taken to Tiruvarur Medical College, while three others were treated for minor injuries. The building, less than a year old, has sparked public outrage over construction quality. Parents and locals demanded an immediate investigation and accountability for the substandard work. The incident follows a similar accident in Kanchipuram a day earlier, intensifying concerns about student safety in Tamil Nadu’s government schools. Many parents are now hesitant to send their children to school.

#8 Ranipet

In Ranipet, a 13-year-old boy from Thenkadappanthangal sustained serious head injuries when a boundary wall collapsed at his government school during lunch break. The eighth-grade student of the Government Panchayat Union Middle School was playing near the wall when it suddenly gave way. He was first rushed to Walajapet Government General Hospital and later transferred to CMC Hospital in Ratnagiri for advanced treatment. The incident prompted visits from education officials and has sparked concern among local residents.

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The post Dravidian Model: Ceiling Of Recently Renovated Govt School Classroom Collapses In Erode; BJP Leader Annamalai Demands Accountability From Ruling DMK appeared first on The Commune.

While Dravidianist actor Karthi, whose children reportedly go to elite international schools, showered praise on Tamil Nadu’s School Education Minister Anbil Mahesh portraying government schools as thriving under his leadership — his remarks appear more like political appeasement toward the DMK’s first family than a reflection of reality. On the ground, the condition of government schools in Tamil Nadu tells a very different story. In just the span of two days, multiple alarming incidents were reported across the state: students caught using drugs and even assaulting a teacher who tried to intervene; school toilets being used as kitchens to cook mid-day meals due to lack of infrastructure; and a breakfast program so poorly managed that children were served meals contaminated with lizards. These troubling events cast a harsh spotlight on the actual state of public education in Tamil Nadu far removed from the glowing endorsements of celebrity supporters.

In just two days, multiple disturbing reports have surfaced from different districts across the state.

One such incident took place at the Panruti Government Boys Higher Secondary School in Cuddalore district, where students were allegedly caught using drugs such as Ganja and created ruckus on campus. When a teacher tried to intervene, he was attacked with stones by the students. The shocking event has prompted the public to demand strict measures to curb drug use among students and to provide proper counseling services.

ஆசிரியரை கற்களால் தாக்கிய அரசு பள்ளி மாணவர்கள்?#cuddalorestudentsissue #cuddalorenews pic.twitter.com/xKeMkF4iR5

— Thanthi TV (@ThanthiTV) June 25, 2025

In another case from Ramanathapuram district, the Panchayat Union Higher Secondary School in Thirupalaikudi, R.S.Mangalam Taluk, faces a severe lack of basic facilities. Despite having thousands of students enrolled, the school lacks functioning toilets. Even more alarmingly, the space near the defunct toilets is being used as a kitchen to prepare midday meals. As a result, female students, especially, face serious discomfort and hygiene issues. Local residents have called on the authorities to immediately intervene and ensure that the school is operated under proper conditions, with adequate facilities for cooking and sanitation.

Speaking to the media, a social activist named Thangaraj said, “There’s a higher secondary school in Thirupalaikudi Panchayat, R.S.Mangalam Taluk. Thousands of students are studying there today, but if you see it lacks proper toilet facilities. The very place where students go for toilet is used to cook the midday meals. The cooking area is a toilet. This is causing a lot of hardship for the people, especially the girl students who don’t have proper restrooms. It’s not just the absence of toilets; the cooking area itself doubles as a toilet. We urge the local administration and officials to immediately address this issue and ensure the Thirupalaikudi Government Higher Secondary School operates properly. There are many shortcomings, and we request that they all be resolved.”

சமையல் இடம் தான் கழிவறை.. அரசு மாதிரி மேல்நிலைப் பள்ளியின் அவலம்.. பொதுமக்கள் குற்றச்சாட்டு.!#Ramanathapuram #GovtSchool #Students #Public #TamilNews #NewsTamil #NewsTamil24x7 pic.twitter.com/XALlwfx0Ub

— News Tamil 24×7 (@NewsTamilTV24x7) June 24, 2025

Meanwhile, in Anaivari village near Thiruvennainallur in Villupuram district, a deeply troubling food safety lapse occurred at the Panchayat Union Primary School. Over 50 students fell ill after consuming breakfast that allegedly contained a lizard. Several students started vomiting and fainted shortly after eating. They were promptly taken to the nearby Kalpattu Government Primary Health Centre for treatment. Following the incident, two temporary kitchen staff were dismissed, and an investigation has been launched by the School Education Department under the Assistant SSA Project Director.

காலை உணவில் பல்லி.. அடுத்தடுத்து மயங்கி விழுந்த மாணவர்கள்.!#Viluppuram #Students #GovtSchool #Food #TamilNews #NewsTamil #NewsTamil24x7 pic.twitter.com/2FFfDhYoiz

— News Tamil 24×7 (@NewsTamilTV24x7) June 24, 2025

These incidents collectively cast a grim shadow on the claims of excellence in Tamil Nadu’s public education system. Despite political praise and curated narratives, the lived experiences of students in government schools highlight systemic negligence, poor infrastructure, and lapses in student safety and welfare.

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The post Lizard In Meals, Toilet As Kitchen, Students Beating Teachers: Back-To-Back Incidents Show Pathetic State Of Dravidian Model Schools Which Was Hailed By DMK Stooge Actor Karthi appeared first on The Commune.

A disturbing video from a government primary school in Kallakurichi has gone viral, showing young students emotionally pleading with the state’s education minister for clean and safe mid-day meals. The footage, which features children complaining about food contaminated with worms and insects, has triggered public outrage and intensified criticism against the ruling DMK government—particularly because such incidents have become increasingly common across Tamil Nadu.

The complaint stems from students at the government primary school in Old Uchimedu village, Kallakurichi district. According to reports, the mid-day meal served was prepared using rice that had been stored unused for over a month during the summer break. As a result, the food was spoiled, filled with worms, and emitted a strong foul odor.

In the viral video, a visibly distressed child holds up her insect-infested meal and says, “There are always worms and bugs in the food. We’ve told them and our parents also came and pointed it out. Even then these are worms and bugs are present. We really don’t like to eat this. There are bugs in our food—we keep taking them out, but they keep coming back. That’s why we’re asking you to give us different food.”

எங்களுக்கு சாப்பிடவே பிடிக்கல.. சாப்பாட்டுல ஃபுல்லா புழு பூச்சியா இருக்கு.. அரசு பள்ளி மாணவர்கள் வேதனை#Kallakurichi #Students #Food #TamilNews #NewsTamil #NewsTamil24x7 pic.twitter.com/LU69bIBwAV

— News Tamil 24×7 (@NewsTamilTV24x7) June 12, 2025

Following public backlash, Kallakurichi MLA Senthilkumar visited the school for inspection. The school’s principal acknowledged the seriousness of the issue and emphasized the need for strict quality checks on meals, including daily inspection of eggs to ensure they are fresh. He assured that a thorough investigation would be conducted into the matter.

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The post ‘There Are Worms And Bugs In Our Food,’, Kallakurichi Primary School Kids Plead For Hygienic Mid-Day Meals, Viral Video Expose Worms In Rice appeared first on The Commune.

Government high and secondary schools across Tamil Nadu are yet to receive their allocated funds for retail expenses, including electricity bills, for the 2024-2025 financial year. As a result, school principals have been forced to cover these costs from their own pockets, raising concerns over the delay in fund disbursement.

Under the existing scheme, the Tamil Nadu government provides up to ₹50,000 annually in two installments for various school expenses, including stationery, official travel allowances, and electricity bills. The allocation depends on the number of students in each school, and principals are required to submit expense details to the treasury by the end of March each year.

However, principals have expressed frustration over the delay in receiving funds for both the current and previous financial years. They revealed that while schools received the first installment for 2023-2024, the second installment never arrived. Similarly, the 2024-2025 funds have not yet been released, forcing many to pay electricity bills ranging from ₹10,000 to ₹60,000 using personal funds.

For primary and middle schools, electricity bills are paid directly by the respective district education officers. However, for over 9,000 government high and secondary schools, the current system requires principals to pay first and claim reimbursement from the government.
Amid growing concerns, School Education Minister Mahesh had earlier assured that the government would take over the responsibility of paying electricity bills for these schools. However, this promise remains unfulfilled.

With March already underway and the deadline for submitting expense details fast approaching, principals are urging the government to release the pending funds immediately and implement a direct payment system for electricity bills without further delay.

(With inputs from Dinamalar)

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The post Dravidian Model: Tamil Nadu Govt School Principals Pay From Pockets As TN Government Delays School Funds Again appeared first on The Commune.

In yet another incident fueled by caste pride in Tirunelveli, the Mukkudal police have filed a case against two Class 12 students and two youths from the MBC community for allegedly assaulting two SC students outside a government higher secondary school on 7 January 2024. One of the accused, a youth aged above 18, has been arrested, while investigations into the other three individuals are still underway.

According to sources, the attack resulted from an earlier dispute between the SC and MBC students. The MBC students, accompanied by two young men from their community, reportedly ambushed the SC students as they left school, causing injuries. Following a complaint filed by the victims’ parents, the police invoked the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act against the accused.

The district has witnessed a rise in caste-based clashes among government school students in 2024. In some cases, students involved in such altercations have been sent to government homes after being presented before the juvenile justice board. Reports suggest that some students have even brought weapons to school, threatening their peers and teachers.

In response to these tensions, District Collector Dr K.P. Karthikeyan recommended transferring teachers accused of caste-related behaviour to help promote communal harmony. However, this move was met with resistance from teacher associations, who sought the intervention of the Assembly Speaker, M. Appavu. In addition, the state government launched the ‘Anbaadum Mundril’ initiative, which aims to foster unity among students through awareness programs in both government and aided schools.

The rise in caste-based assaults among school students is deeply concerning. Below are some recent incidents that highlight this troubling trend.

• On 30 July 2024, two students at the Government Higher Secondary School in Valliyoor, Tirunelveli, were injured in a caste-related altercation. The conflict was sparked by derogatory remarks about a specific caste that were found written on a toilet wall at the school.
• Further, on 1 July 2024, another instance of caste-based pride sparked a clash among 12th-grade students at Rosalind Chelliah Government Higher Secondary School in Maruthakulam village, Nanguneri, Tirunelveli.
• Previously, at the end of the academic year in 2023, Periyar Government Higher Secondary School students in Cheranmahadevi, Tirunelveli District, attacked students from a nearby private polytechnic college over caste issues. This conflict at Kalakadu school saw one student being stabbed and requiring medical attention.
• Additionally, the death of a prominent student at Pallakal Pudukkudi Government School near Pappakkudi left a profound impact. The ongoing caste-based violence at Gangai Kondan Government Higher Secondary School highlights the deep-rooted influence of caste prejudices among students.
• This incident followed a tragic attack in August 2023, where three students from a dominant caste assaulted a Scheduled Caste teenager and his sister in Nanguneri. The recent violence has resulted in injuries and hospitalisations, further shocking the community.

(With Inputs From TNIE)

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The post Four Arrested Including Two Students In Caste-Based Assault Outside Mukkudal School In Tirunelveli appeared first on The Commune.

(With inputs from TNIE)

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The post Dravidian Model Of Education: Muthaliyarpatti Govt School Students Forced to Study Under Trees, No Basic Facilities appeared first on The Commune.

A distressing incident occurred in Ranipet, where a 13-year-old boy from Thenkadappanthangal, near Walajapet, suffered severe head injuries when a perimeter wall at his government school collapsed.

The boy, an eighth-grade student at the Government Panchayat Union Middle School, was playing near the school’s boundary during the lunch break when the wall suddenly gave way.

An ambulance quickly rescued the student and took him to the Walajapet Government General Hospital for immediate treatment. At the hospital, the Walajapet Taluk Chief District Education Officer and other officials inquired about the boy’s condition.

After receiving first aid, the injured student was transferred to CMC Private Hospital in Ratnagiri for further care. This shocking incident, involving the collapse of the school’s perimeter wall, has caused a significant stir in the area.

#JUSTIN || அரசுப்பள்ளி சுவர் இடிந்து மாணவன் படுகாயம்

ராணிப்பேட்டை : வாலாஜாபேட்டை அருகே அரசுப்பள்ளி சுவர் இடிந்து 8ஆம் வகுப்பு மாணவன் படுகாயம்

பள்ளியில், வருவாய் கோட்டாட்சியர், முதன்மை கல்வி அலுவலர் ஆய்வு#ThanthiTV | #Schoolstudent | #TamilNadu pic.twitter.com/R4ZbGqqDrK

— Thanthi TV (@ThanthiTV) January 3, 2025

This incident is not isolated, as similar issues have occurred in the past. Despite numerous reports highlighting the risks to students’ safety, the Dravidian model DMK government appears indifferent to maintaining school buildings and ensuring basic facilities in government schools, putting the lives of children and students at risk.

• On 27 August 2024, three students were injured when a section of the ceiling plaster fell on them during class at a government-run school in Krishnagiri. The accident raised significant concerns about the safety and structural integrity of the building, which had only been opened two months ago with MPLADS fund. In another similar incident July 2024, a ceiling of a newly constructed Panchayat Union Middle School near Kanchipuram collapsed, wher the building, completed three months prior.
• On August 2024, another ceiling of a classroom at a government school in Thiruporur collapsed, injuring five female students and sparking protests from parents who questioned the quality of the construction.
• On 12 June 2024, The administration of St. Paul’s Girls’ Higher Secondary School in Mayiladuthurai forced students to clean their classrooms to “instill” discipline, a practice exposed when a ninth-grade student refused and was slapped by a teacher.
• The Government Higher Secondary School in Mogappair, Chennai, become a site of student distress due to poor conditions, including unhygienic facilities and unsafe infrastructure. Girl students raised alarming concerns that they were subjected to verbal harassment and forced cleaning duties, with teachers complicit in the mistreatment.

(With inputs from News 18 Tamil)

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The post 13-Year-Old Boy Suffers Severe Head Injuries After Perimeter Wall Collapses At Ranipet Govt School appeared first on The Commune.

Tamil Nadu BJP president K Annamalai has strongly criticized the ruling DMK government, raising serious questions about its financial mismanagement and governance issues in the state’s education department.

In a statement released on 22 December 2024, via his official X account, Tamil Nadu BJP president K. Annamalai criticized the DMK government, highlighting serious financial mismanagement and governance concerns. He stated, “It has come to light that internet services for 385 district education offices across Tamil Nadu have been disconnected due to several months of unpaid fees. Due to the disconnection, the education of the students has been severely impacted students’ education and there is also delayed the preparation of teachers’ salary lists. Under the DMK regime, Tamil Nadu has turned into a debtor state. Tamil Nadu is in debt to the tune of about ₹8.5 lakh crore. The CAG audit report has stated that the entire loan taken is used only for daily expenses and is not used for their intended purposes. If the district education offices are unable to pay the internet connection fees and the state has to rely on loans for daily expenses, then the question arises how the DMK government is actually spending the direct tax revenue of the Tamil Nadu government and the 70% of the funds that Tamil Nadu gets as its share in GST. Where is all this money going? He also questioned the Chief Minister, asking, “Is the Tamil Nadu government on the brink of bankruptcy? Chief Minister @mkstalin should provide an explanation to the people.”

தமிழகம் முழுவதும் உள்ள 385 மாவட்ட கல்வி அலுவலகங்களில் இணையதள இணைப்புக்கான கட்டணம், பல மாதங்களாகச் செலுத்தப்படாததால், இணைப்பு துண்டிக்கப்பட்டுள்ளது என்று தெரிய வருகிறது. இணைய இணைப்பு துண்டிக்கப்பட்டுள்ளதால், மாணவர்களின் கல்வி பெரிதும் பாதிக்கப்பட்டுள்ளதோடு, ஆசிரியர்களின் சம்பளப்…

— K.Annamalai (@annamalai_k) December 22, 2024

Government Schools in Tamil Nadu Face Internet Disconnection Amid Outstanding Bills

Recent reports revealed that over 3,700 high and higher secondary government schools in Tamil Nadu are at risk of losing their internet connections due to unpaid bills amounting to ₹1.5 crore owed to BSNL. This comes at a time when the state government is actively promoting smart classrooms and hi-tech labs in schools statewide.

These 3,700 schools, representing nearly 50% of the 6,223 high and higher secondary schools in Tamil Nadu, have reportedly not paid their internet bills for the past two to three months, primarily due to a lack of funds.

A circular issued by the school education department to district chief education officers revealed that the hi-tech labs in these schools operate using Fibre to the Home (FTTH) connections under the Samagra Shiksha Scheme. In a letter, BSNL’s Tamil Nadu Telecom Circle warned of service suspension if the dues were not cleared by Saturday.

Internet Upgrade Efforts Contrasted by Payment Delays

Earlier in May, the state government announced a partnership with BSNL to upgrade internet speeds in schools from 5-6 Mbps to 100 Mbps to meet the increasing demand for faster connectivity. By the end of May, high-speed internet had been installed in 5,907 out of 6,223 schools, with the remaining to follow soon after.

Funding Challenges and Impact on Schools

Headmasters highlighted that reliable internet is critical for the functioning of hi-tech labs, which support multimedia-based learning, career guidance, language classes, and mental health programs. However, funding issues have created significant challenges.

Previously, the government provided internet connections through a private provider with speeds of 3-5 Mbps, allocating ₹20,000 per school annually. Currently, schools receive ₹1,500 per month for internet charges, but the funds are often disbursed only once every three to six months.

“Many headmasters end up paying the bills out of their own pockets or using maintenance grants and seek reimbursement later. However, schools with fewer students find it difficult to manage since their maintenance grants are minimal,” explained a headmaster from Dharmapuri.

Headmasters have urged the department to centralize payments for electricity and internet bills to service providers, alleviating the financial strain on schools and avoiding delays in payments.

Government Response

Officials from the school education department stated that funds for internet charges had been released up to August for high schools and up to September for higher secondary schools. They acknowledged delays in fund disbursal from district offices to schools and announced a meeting with chief education officers (CEOs) to address the issue.

“We have also requested internet operators not to suspend services,” an official said. When asked about centralized payments, the official noted that while BSNL provides internet in most schools, others use alternative service providers. The department plans to explore solutions to prevent such issues in the future.

(With Inputs From TNIE)

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The post BJP TN Chief Annamalai Slams DMK Govt Over Financial Mismanagement And Internet Disruption In TN Schools appeared first on The Commune.

A disturbing new report has emerged from the much-hyped Dravidian Model state of Tamil Nadu, about the alarming practice of primary school teachers appointing fake substitutes to cover their classes while paying these impostors out of their own pockets. Tamil Nadu currently has 34,855 primary schools and 9,248 middle schools.

According to report by Kumudam, the issue first came to light when K. Balaji, a teacher at Ramiyampatti Middle School in Dharmapuri’s Arur Education District, was found to be frequently absent from work. It was later revealed that he had arranged for another person to take his place in the classroom during his absence. The Kumudam report alleges that its investigations have revealed a troubling trend in many schools, particularly those with only one or two teachers on staff. These schools are reportedly hiring “fake teachers” as stand-ins for their regular educators. In many cases, these substitute teachers are paid by the original teachers themselves, who also bribe local education officers to cover up the malpractice and avoid detection.

This problem appears to be most common in “one-teacher schools,” where a small staff is responsible for managing multiple classes. Out of roughly 11,000 such schools, Kumudam report claims that an estimated 10,000 schools are involved in this deceptive practice.

In response to these troubling revelations, Madhumathi, the Principal Secretary of the School Education Department has allegedly confirmed that the department was aware of the situation and had already taken action in certain cases. For instance, after a similar case emerged at Pammathukulam Panchayat Union Primary School in Tiruvallur, where officials found inflated student numbers, the District Education Officer and the Headmaster were removed from their positions.

Similarly, in Koliyanur, a government-aided school in Viluppuram, the District Education Officer was dismissed after an investigation revealed similar malpractice involving fake student enrollment. Madhumathi stated that following these incidents, a state-wide investigation into the practice of fake teachers had been initiated, and action would be taken against both the teachers and education officials involved in these fraudulent activities.

The widespread practice of hiring fake teachers is a serious blow to the credibility of Tamil Nadu’s education system. Not only does it undermine the integrity of the schooling process, but it also sends a harmful message to students, who are supposed to look up to their teachers as role models. It is imperative that the government takes swift and decisive action to address this issue and restore integrity to the education system. There is a growing public expectation that the authorities will act quickly to bring those responsible to justice and ensure that children in Tamil Nadu receive the education they deserve.

(With Inputs From Kumudam)

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The post Dravidian Model Of Education: Kumudam Report Says Tamil Nadu Govt School Teachers Appoint Fake Substitutes, Officials Take Bribes; School Edu Dept Said To Have Taken Cognizance appeared first on The Commune.