Kozhikode: Nothing has changed for the good at government welfare LP school at Perambra. Even after starting the LKG section and providing the best amenities, including pedagogy park and smart classroom, the school remains ‘untouchable’ for the civil society. Not a single non-dalit student has enrolled here as the new academic year commenced on Wednesday.
The school hogged the limelight last year due to the ‘untouchability’ practised by the civil society towards the school as all the children there belong to Sambava (Paraya), a dalit community. “We have admitted three students to the first standard. The LKG has seven children taking the total strength to 15. Of this, only two are non-dalits, who belong to the differently-abled category,” says Raghudas Thettayil, headmaster.
The HM did not conceal his disappointment as the school authorities, grama panchayat and organizations like Kerala Shastra Sahitya Parishat had campaigned throughout in the Chermala area among the parents to send their wards to the school. “Caste is not the only issue. There is another aided LP school, hardly 100 metres away. But the students lack basic facilities, though they are good in academics,” Mr Thettayil added.
No non-dalit student has studied in the school during the last 15 years. The situation was different earlier with students studying and mingling like in any other school. “It was sad that some parents still practise casteism even after we set up good amenities,” laments M.K. Kunjikannan, a member of the school protection samithy.
There are 50 Sambava families residing in Chermala colony. The colony lacks basic infrastructure, including water and proper sanitation. “Improving the living conditions of Sambavites in the colony would in turn reflect on their children which would change the status of the school,” said a localite, who wished anonymity.
