The Scheduled Tribes Development Department (STDD) has announced a critical decision: the tribal students from the Government Ashram High School in Thirunelli will be relocated to the Model Residential School in Aralam, Kannur district, by November 10.
Known affectionately as the Ashram School, this institution is a lifeline for many of Wayanad’s most vulnerable Paniya and Adiya tribal children, offering them a chance at education and a safe living environment.
According to STDD sources, the complex transfer operation is slated for completion by November 9, with classes at the new Aralam facility set to commence the very next day.
This significant move involves not only 257 Adiya and Paniya tribal students but also approximately 50 staff members. While the Model Residential School building in Aralam was constructed five years ago, it only recently received essential power and water supply connections, making this relocation possible now.
The decision to move the children to Aralam was initially made in July, after the Public Works Department (PWD) declared the girls’ hostel building at Thirunelli unfit for habitation. However, the STDD experienced delays due to various technical hurdles.
The urgency of the situation became clear less than two weeks ago when widespread protests erupted following media reports highlighting the deplorable living conditions faced by the tribal children at the school. This public outcry prompted swift action, with both the State Commission for Protection of Child Rights and the State Human Rights Commission registering suo motu cases, pushing the government to act decisively.
K.V. Manoj Kumar, chairperson of the Child Rights Commission, confirmed that notices have been issued to the school authorities, and a formal hearing on the matter will be held soon.
Concerns Over Distance and Dropout Rates
The relocation has drawn attention from political figures, including Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, Wayanad’s Member of Parliament. She has voiced strong concerns that moving tribal students from Thirunelli to Aralam could inadvertently lead to a significant increase in dropout rates.
Ms. Vadra emphasized that no student should be transferred without their explicit consent, noting that a considerable number of students have already expressed their reluctance to leave Thirunelli for Aralam.
A major challenge highlighted is the 60-kilometer distance separating Aralam from Thirunelli. This considerable travel could make it exceedingly difficult for parents across Wayanad to visit their children regularly on weekends, potentially disrupting crucial family contact and support systems.