Chennai: School education minister K.A. Sengottaiyan's announcement that schools will be reopened in cyclone-affected delta districts on Thursday created apprehension among teachers and headmasters who warned that without water and electricity in schools, the students might face a health risk.
Due to widespread damage caused by the cyclone Gaja on November 16, many areas in Nagapattinam, Pudukottai, Thanjavur and Tiruvarur districts are facing with acute water shortage due to lack of electricity supply.
Teachers, headmasters and volunteers in these districts have been directed to clear uprooted trees and assess the damages to the school buildings.
Meanwhile, minister Sengottaiyan announced that the schools in delta districts will be reopened on Thursday. Since the schools in Nagapattinam educational district being used as relief camps, they will remain closed.
"Electricity is yet to be restored in six blocks including Peravurani and Pattukottai in Thanjavur district. If the schools opened without electricity and water, then it will lead to hygienic issues," said A.Ramesh, general secretary, Tamil Nadu Higher Secondary School Headmasters' Association.
In Thanjavur district, the power is yet to be restored in six blocks out of eight affected by cyclone Gaja.
"There is no water for cooking. Several teams are clearing fallen trees in and out of school campuses. But, students may find it difficult to concentrate in darkness inside the schools," he said.
He urged the school education department to postpone the reopening of schools to the next week.
Another teacher has brought the attention towards the mental stress faced by the students after the disaster.
"Many of them have lost their livelihood, property and houses. The teachers need to equipped to give them proper counselling," he suggested.
