In a move that contradicts the state government's emphasis on sports education, approximately 170 students at Uthandi Government High School in Chennai have been deprived of their only playground. The Greater Chennai Corporation has taken over the school's recreational space to construct a kitchen intended to feed sanitary workers in the city's southern regions.
School Sports Facilities Sacrificed
The two-acre school campus already suffers from severe space constraints, with buildings and toilets occupying most of the area. Only about 20 cents of land remained available for students to use as a playground before the GCC intervention began last week.
A school staff member revealed the impact on students: "Students use the space to play football and kabaddi. Since the construction began last week, they have not been able to play." The timing is particularly unfortunate given that both the deputy chief minister and school education minister have been publicly advocating for increased focus on sports in education.
Violation of Educational Standards
The takeover directly contradicts physical education standards established for schools. According to Sankaraperumal, president of the TN Physical Education Teachers and Physical Directors' Association, high and higher secondary schools must have a playground measuring at least one acre.
"In Chennai, not even 30 cents are available in many schools. Taking away whatever little space is left is condemnable," Sankaraperumal stated, highlighting the broader issue of inadequate sports infrastructure in city schools.
Broader Community Impact
The project raises concerns beyond just educational facilities. Local residents worry about multiple ramifications from the kitchen construction. D Chandrasekaran, president of SOLVE—a Residents' Welfare Association in Uthandi—explained additional consequences.
"If completed, people from coastal hamlets in and around Uthandi and Panaiyur will have no space to go to during floods," Chandrasekaran noted. He also expressed concern that "constant movement of vehicles and staff inside the school could disrupt learning" for students.
Official Response and Lack of Coordination
GCC zonal officer M P Thanigaivelan defended the project location, stating the site was chosen because it contained an unutilized building. "No new construction is happening. The existing building is being strengthened with interlinking blocks, and arrangements are being made to facilitate the movement of vehicles in and out of the premises," he explained.
Thanigaivelan claimed that an alternative playground would be arranged for students, though specific details or timelines weren't provided. Despite GCC handling the construction, the school operates under state government administration.
In a revealing admission, officials from the Chennai chief education officer's office confirmed that GCC had not even informed them about the proposed project before beginning construction, raising questions about inter-departmental coordination and communication.
