Residents of Ayyampatti in the Tiruverumbur block of Tiruchi district have urged the authorities to expedite the construction of a new building for the Panchayat Union Elementary School after the old structure was demolished owing to safety concerns.

The school building, constructed in 1962, had deteriorated over the years, posing a risk to students and staff. Once attracting more than 60 students from nearby areas, the school has witnessed a steady decline in enrolment over the past 15 years. Currently, only seven students are enrolled in the school.

The school functioned with just two classrooms and lacked basic facilities such as a compound wall and functional toilets for students and teachers. The roof was in a dilapidated condition and vulnerable to damage during the rainy season, leading to fears among parents that the structure could collapse during heavy rains.

Citing poor infrastructure and safety concerns, several parents stopped sending their children to the school, while others shifted them to nearby private and government-aided institutions. Residents said they had been demanding a new building for more than a decade, but no concrete action had been taken.

Following inspections by School Education Department officials, assurances were given that the unsafe building would be demolished and replaced with a new structure comprising two classrooms, a staff room and toilet facilities. Funds were allocated for the project, and the old building was subsequently demolished. The students have been temporarily accommodated in a nearby anganwadi centre to facilitate the construction.

According to an official, the project has been delayed due to objections from a section of residents who have demanded that the new school building be constructed at an alternative location instead of the demolished school premises.

“We are ready to commence construction, but the issue has slowed down the project. The site was levelled last week, and steps will be taken soon to begin construction of the new school building,” the official said.