Corporation school playground encroached

C Shivakumar

Chennai:

A corporation school in Chennai has been functioning without a playground for the last 20 years after it was allegedly encroached by several constructions, according to information available through Right to Information Act.

RTI activist and a research scholar R Natarajan told Express on Tuesday that Chennai High School, located in Vanniya Teynampet on Edlams Road initially had a playground when it was started.

“It is claimed that Slum Clearance Board took possession of the seven ground of land temporarily. However, there are no records to prove it. Now the playground is encroached by various constructions with officials failing to take action to evict it” the RTI activist said.

He said as per Government Order and Dr S V Chitti Babu Committee Report a playground is mandatory for running a school. “The officials have turned a blind eye to the entire issue. And what is more there has been no inspection carried out by Inspectress of Schools for the last 15 years,” said Natarajan.

When Express contacted the headmistress she refused to divulge details. However, in the RTI reply she did acknowledge that the school was started with a playground area and it was encroached for more than 20 years. Currently, the school is using a small space in the premises as playground, she said.

Natarajan said he has sought information from education department, secretariat and public information officer of education department in Chennai Corporation regarding the issue. “It seems they are reluctant to retrieve the land and put it to proper use. I will be moving a petition with the secretary of education department to highlight this issue. Denial of playground will affect physical and mental development of children without any proper outdoor activities,” he said.

Real estate developers say the prime land could cost anywhere between Rs 10 crore.