Narrow escape for students, teachers as roof collapses

MADURAI: It was a narrow escape for students and a teacher of the Panchayat Union primary school at Anaiyoor in the district on Thursday as the roof of a dilapidated school building collapsed. The school building was constructed and opened in 2003. At around 9.30am, the roof collapsed creating a flutter among the students who ran out of the school.
Panchayat president of Anaiyur, Harichandran said that confusion about whether the school falls under city limits or panchayat, has been prevailing since the time the area was annexed with the city corporation four years ago.
"We have petitioned the officials three times about the dilapidated condition of the school building but the confusion about the limits, still prevails. Authorities should take action before any life is lost," he rued.
Interestingly, one portion of the school constructed 70 years ago still stands strong.
"I studied up to Class 5 in this school and now I am a retired headmaster. Constructed in 1939 as a tiled structure it still stands good but the new portion collapsed because of corruption at the contractors' end," said P Ramachandran, an old student.