Dharmapuri: The government residential school at Nallampalli in the district looks exactly like a train stationed on a platform. It’s nothing but the new initiative by the NGO Social Economic and Environment Development Society that runs the school to attract school dropouts to continue schooling.
Located on the premises of a government higher secondary school, the residential school was started in 2005 under the integrated scheme for school education to take care of the dropout students from Class II to VIII. The current strength of the school is 100 students.
A Saravanan, director of the NGO, said the classrooms were
painted like train coaches to offer the students a change from the traditional classrooms. “This residential school is mainly meant for the school dropouts. How would we be able to attract them if we stick to the concept of traditional classrooms?” He said the students would love the new ambience and that each classroom entrance was designed like that of a train coach.
“Our intention is to create a harmonious and useful learning space for the dropouts instead of teaching them in a classroom,” Saravanan said.
Chief educational officer Ramasamy and other education officials have congratulated Saravanan for his efforts.
Meanwhile, local villagers are flocking to the school just to have a ‘selfie’ in front of the newly-designed classrooms.