Corporation facelift to SRV UP School

KOCHI:  The renovation work of the ceiling of SRV UP School, Ernakulam, is in progress. The school which is an ancient landmark in the city will soon lose its traditional look as the good old tiles are being replaced by GI sheets. The school was set up in 1845. Only the UP and LP sections are being renovated while the high school section is being preserved a heritage building.“During the rainy season, the classes are flooded and we have mop the classes dry,” said Jijo John, a student. Rain water seeps in through the broken tiles and gaps in the wooden ceiling and it is very difficult to maintain the replaced tiles and decaying wood, said the school headmistress. A lot of time is wasted in moving children to other rooms. Moreover, students tend to break the tiles during play, she said. Things may fall off the roof on the students’ heads and it is not healthy to sit in damp classes, she added.The roof work of the LP section is over and the tiles of the UP section ceiling are being replaced with GI sheets that are light and lasting. The wooden ceiling is being retained. “We are happy that the tiles are being replaced,” said a few students.However, there are others who disagree. A teacher of the high school Unnikrishnan said, “The traditional tile roofing is better as it is ideal for all weather. The school must preserve its heritage.”Some non-teaching staff said, “The sound of rain will disturb the class and the classroom may turn warmer during summer.” But some teachers of the UP section said, “Fans will be fixed in all the classrooms.”Now the UP classes are being taken in the library and staff room. The work is being delayed due to the shortage of labourers. The Kochi Corporation has taken up the work. The authorities are clueless about when the work will be completed. Until then, the students and the teachers will have to face inconvenience.