Thirunelly Ashram school moved to new campus in Aralam amid protests

Wayanad: The Government Ashram School, Thirunelly, run by the Department of Tribal Development, was shifted to a new campus at Aralam in Kannur district on Sunday, triggering protests from tribal organisations and political parties.

The move comes after the old hostel building in Thirunelly was declared unsafe by the PWD, forcing over 100 girl students to live in cramped classrooms with only one toilet for months. The issue had sparked widespread outrage, with opposition parties including the BJP and Congress staging protests over the government’s neglect of tribal education.

The new school complex at Aralam, built at a cost of ₹17.39 crore with KIIFB funding, is located on 16.73 acres of land. Though construction was completed in 2021, the building remained unused as electrification and plumbing works were pending.

On Sunday morning, students were shifted in nine KSRTC buses, while tribal activists and parents protested against the relocation. The Tribal Department arranged visits for parents to inspect the new facilities.

The new campus has facilities for 350 students, including a hostel, classrooms, laboratories, a playground, an IT lab, and a modern kitchen. Authorities said the relocation was unavoidable as the old building was in a dilapidated condition.

Meanwhile, another school complex at Makkimala near Thirunelly, constructed during the UDF regime, remains abandoned. Former minister P K Jayalakshmi demanded an inquiry into the wastage of funds on the unused building.

Ashramam School headmistress T S Radhika said students were happy about the improved facilities but would need time to adjust to Aralam’s hotter climate. The official inauguration of the new campus will be held on Monday, with Minister for Scheduled Tribe Development O R Kelu and Department Director Mithun Premraj in attendance.