In a determined bid to secure a play area for their children, parents associated with a Trichy corporation school are spearheading a confrontation against the city administration and a private trust. The dispute centers on a piece of land that could solve a critical infrastructure deficit plaguing the institution.
A School in Need of Open Space
The Sri Ranganatha Corporation Middle School, located on Amma Mandapam Road in ward number 7 of the Srirangam zone, educates approximately 250 students from classes I to VIII. While the school building is equipped with adequate classrooms and toilets, it critically lacks a dedicated playground. This absence is having a tangible impact on both student development and the school's viability.
According to the School Management Committee (SMC), led by chairperson M Eswari, the strength of the school is declining because of this very issue. "Without a ground, our children are not learning silambam or self-defence training classes available in other government schools," Eswari stated. She highlighted a worrying trend: "Every year, around 20 students shift to private schools," presumably in search of better facilities.
The Identified Solution and the Hurdle
The SMC has pinpointed a potential solution: a 5,000-square-foot property adjacent to the school compound. Currently, this land hosts a stone mandapam (hall) used by a private trust. The trust utilizes the site once a year when the processional deity from the famed Srirangam temple visits for darshan. For the remainder of the year, the parents argue, the corporation-owned property remains largely underutilized.
The committee asserts that the land belongs to the Trichy Corporation and is merely rented out to the trust. With no other vacant plots available nearby, retrieving this property has become the focal point of their campaign. S Radha, the councillor for ward 7, expressed the community's frustration with the pace of progress. "A board was placed before the property in dispute, claiming ownership by Trichy corporation. But as there was no further development, parents are worried about the delay in taking over the property," Radha told TOI.
Official Response and the Path Forward
The parents have accused the corporation of lethargy in addressing their legitimate demand. In response to the growing agitation, Mayor Mu Anbalagan has intervened. He assured that he would personally inspect the disputed land and visit the school to assess the situation and work towards a resolution.
The standoff underscores a common urban challenge where limited public land is contested for various uses. The parents' committee is clear in its objective: to convert the idle asset into a vibrant playground that would not only retain students but also contribute to their holistic physical education and well-being.
