Unsafe School Building in Ariyalur Block: Parents Demand Immediate Reconstruction

Parents and teachers of Panchayat Union Middle School, Melapuliyur, Ariyalur Block have raised urgent safety concerns about the school's main building which shows severe structural damage and is at risk of collapse. Structural issues identified: - Three major cracks visible on the outer load-bearing wall of the 40-year-old main classroom block - Ceiling plaster falling inside two classrooms — Class 5 and Class 6 rooms - Roof tiles cracked and shifted — water seeping into classrooms during rain - One window frame completely detached from wall — held in place only by rusted iron grills - School has 148 students and 6 teachers using the affected building daily History: - School management first reported structural issues to Block Education Officer: March 2026 - PWD inspection conducted: April 2026 - PWD report: Building rated as category B damage requiring reconstruction - School Education Department approval for reconstruction: Still pending 5 months later Parents' demand: Either immediate reconstruction approval or temporary alternative classroom arrangement before Northeast Monsoon. Ariyalur Block Education Officer: 04329-222456 District Elementary Education Officer: 04329-220567 School Education Department helpline: 14417