No funds for Assembly visit, children from Edamalakkudy take local trip instead

Idukki: While schoolchildren across villages are heading out on excursions with their classmates and teachers, the students of Edamalakkudy were unable to go on a planned visit to the Legislative Assembly in Thiruvananthapuram due to a lack of funds. To raise their spirits, the school headmaster arranged a local outing, giving them an opportunity to explore the natural beauty around their own village.

The children, including those staying in the hostel at the Edamalakkudy Tribal School, had earlier received permission from the Department of Education to visit the offices of the Chief Minister, the Ministers for Education and Welfare of Scheduled Tribes, and the Assembly building in the state capital.

However, the plan did not materialise as they could not afford the travel, food, and accommodation expenses for the trip from Munnar to Thiruvananthapuram and on the return leg.

Taking note of their situation , school headmaster K B Shibu, along with teachers Harish and Ashkar Sainuddin and hostel warden Jain, set out on a local excursion with these children. They walked about six kilometres through the tribal settlements, visiting rivers and scenic spots tucked inside the forests. The day was filled with laughter, storytelling, and moments of wonder as the children soaked in the beauty of nature around them before returning in the evening.

At the Tribal LP School in Edamalakkudy, 65 students are currently enrolled, with an additional 14 students attending a bridge course for standards five to seven.