The absence of an arts stream at the Government Tribal Residential Higher Secondary School, Hasanur, has forced students from remote hill villages to travel long distances or seek admission in schools in the plains to pursue higher secondary education.

Established in 1952 as an elementary school under the Department of Adi Dravidar and Tribal Welfare, the institution was upgraded as a high school in 1988 and as a higher secondary school in 1997. The school caters to tribal and non-tribal students from Hasanur and surrounding hill villages, many of them located in remote areas.

More than 200 students are enrolled in Classes VI to XII. At the higher secondary level, the school offers Mathematics-Computer Science and Biology-Computer Science groups, with 40 students enrolled in the two streams.

Residents said the absence of an arts stream comprising History, Commerce, Accountancy, and Economics had affected students who wished to pursue those subjects after Class X. Such students have to seek admission in schools at Thalavadi, Thalamalai, or Sathyamangalam.

“Many students in the hill villages prefer the arts stream. We have been seeking its introduction for several years,” said R. Arulsamy, a resident of Mavallam.

According to residents, students have to travel between 25 km and 40 km to attend schools offering the course. “Many parents are unwilling to send their children on long daily commutes or admit them to hostels, considering the difficult terrain and socio-economic conditions in the region,” said Ramya of Hasanur.

Sources said that while the prescribed minimum strength for the existing higher secondary courses was 45 students, the present enrolment stood at 40. However, they added that an arts stream could be introduced to cater to the educational needs of students from the hill villages. The move would require the appointment of two teachers.

The school is also functioning without a sanctioned permanent English teacher for Classes VI to X. At present, English classes are being handled by a teacher appointed through the School Management Committee.