Model Residential School in Kuttichal awaits building even after 14 years

Kattakkada: Fourteen years after it was first announced, the Model Residential School allotted to Kuttichal panchayat in the Aruvikkara constituency for the benefit of Scheduled Tribe students is still functioning from a rented building.

Despite receiving land allotments on two occasions and ₹30 crore in sanctioned funds, the construction of a permanent school campus is yet to begin. The project has been mired in delays, location disputes and bureaucratic back-and-forth, with not a single brick laid to date.

The school was initially declared in the 2011 State Budget during the tenure of the UDF government, following the efforts of late MLA G Karthikeyan. However, disagreement over whether the school should be built inside or outside forest land caused years of delay. The school began functioning inside a forest community hall, before moving to a series of rented locations over the years.

For the last four years, the school has been operating from an old school building on a rent of Rs.1 lakh per month, with total rental expenses now running into crores. A permanent facility is designed to include classrooms, a hostel, staff quarters and a playground.

The Forest Department initially allotted 2 hectares in Valippara during the tenure of former MLA K S Sabarinathan and even cleared trees in preparation. But just as the foundation stone was to be laid, the COVID-19 pandemic struck. The project ran into fresh trouble during the second Pinarayi Vijayan government, with residents raising concerns about the remoteness and accessibility of the Valippara site. Legal complaints followed.

Eventually, alternate land was allotted in Pankavu and soil testing was completed. However, the Detailed Project Report (DPR) remains pending. The State Construction Corporation is tasked with preparing the DPR and once it is approved by KIIFB, tender procedures can begin.

“There are no more hurdles. The department has Rs.30 crore for construction. The DPR is being prepared and once KIIFB gives the green light, tenders will be invited. Directions have been issued to speed up the process so construction can start without further delay,” said Pradeep Kumar, Tribal Extension Officer.

For now, though, students of the model school continue to study in a temporary setup, while millions in state funds are spent on rent.