Date:14/09/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/09/14/stories/2008091454780600.htm

Tamil Nadu

New block of classes in corporation school opened

Staff Reporter

Constructed under Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan and with the support of Madras Round Table-1

The block has been named after C.V.S. Vasantha Swamy, mother of industrialist Arvind Swamy, who donated Rs.7 lakh

Photo: S.S.Kumar

Local Administration Minister M.K.Stalin interacts with Additional Advocate General-1, Tamil Nadu, P.S.Raman, after inaugurating a block at Government Girls Middle School, Egmore, on Friday. —

CHENNAI: A new block of classrooms built at a cost of Rs.21 lakh was inaugurated at the Corporation Girls Middle School in Egmore here on Friday.

Local Administration Minister M.K. Stalin inaugurated the block that comprises six classrooms spread over two floors. . The building was constructed under the Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan programme of the Centre and with the support of Madras Round Table-1.

The block has been named after C.V.S. Vasantha Swamy, mother of actor and industrialist Arvind Swamy, who donated Rs.7 lakh for the project. Speaking at the function, Mr. Stalin lauded the contribution of Mr. Swamy, who is also the secretary of Madras Round Table -1.

Elaborating on the SSA, he said it aimed at providing education to all children aged between 6 and 14. The Centre had allocated Rs.121 crore for building additional classrooms in schools across the State in 2007-08.

Commending the initiative of Madras Round Table-1, Mr. Stalin said the success of any developmental scheme depended on the cooperation and support of non-governmental organisations and philanthropists.

On the education provided at Chennai corporation schools, he said the standard was on a par with private schools. Most of the students in the Corporation Girls Middle School, Egmore, were from economically and socially backward groups.

Ms. Vasantha Swamy’s philanthropic spirit and penchant for classical dance were recalled by the speakers on the occasion.

Madras Round Table -1 has supported developing infrastructure in various schools as part of its ‘Freedom through Education’ project.

Sanmar Group’s chairman N. Sankar, former cricketer K. Srikanth and Mayor M. Subramanian participated in the function.