Attappadi tribal students’ dreams may turn to dust

On finishing education, he dreams of becoming a member of the defense forces who protect the motherland. This is the ambition that animates N Binuraj, student of Sainik School, Kazhakoottam, and the son of farming couple Nadarajan and Ponni, hailing from Karadippara, Attappady. This dream is shared by Aneesh R and M Midhun from Puthur, and Vishnu R from Vannantharamedu, also belonging to Attappady, who too will progress to the XIIth standard of the same school, next year. Their parents and they themselves are hopeful that the state government will support them and ensure that the window of opportunity is not closed.

It was in 2016, that alumni belonging to the 1991 batch of Sainik School envisioned ‘Project Shine’ and began their humanitarian work among the students of this tribal area. The initiative was conceived to honour the memory of a batchmate, Shine P Baby, a lecturer at Rajagiri College, Kalamassery, who passed on in 2006. This educational intervention has resulted in six boys from here clearing the entrance examinations and entering the portals of the school, which prepares students for a career in the armed forces. This gang of four is the historic batch to make it first to the plus two course in Kazhakoottam.  

The enormity of what Binuraj has achieved so far can be realised from the fact that he had to walk four kilometres, including one km through the forest, to reach Karara U P School. Parents and relatives aver that the schooling in Kazhakoottam has left a visible impress for the better on the behaviour and demeanour of these chosen students. The latter observe the same order and discipline prevailing on the campus at home too.

Babu Mathew and wife, Littie George of Centre for Advanced Research in Socio-Emotional Learning, Kochi, with students from Attappady, belonging to Xth and XIth standards in Sainik School, Kazhakoottam campus before Christmas of 2021 | Photo: Special arrangement

This batch of four has now become exemplars for the young generation of the socially and traditionally disadvantaged communities of this geographically tribal area. But now, parents are increasingly apprehensive about succour, including scholarship grinding to a halt. Uniforms, given gratis till last year, have not been provided to Binuraj this year. His parents bemoan that the incremental expenses of re.20,000 incurred for various purposes, including for purchasing uniforms are beyond their straitened means. The plight is such that, the dreams of a bright future nursed by the children of tribals are in danger of turning to dust, if governmental help is not forthcoming to provide a financial cushion to aid their entry into Sainik School.