Residents of Pavalakuttai and Karalayam villages in Kadambur hills in Sathyamangalam taluk have urged Nilgiris MP A. Raja to take steps for upgrading the respective Panchayat Union Middle Schools into high schools.

In separate petitions submitted through the school management committees during the MP’s visit to Karalayam on Thursday, villagers said that more than 100 students were enrolled in each of the schools, which also cater to children from over 10 surrounding hamlets.

After completing Class VIII, students are forced to travel five to seven km to reach the nearest high schools in Kadambur and Basuvanapuram. This, they said, was forcing several children to discontinue studies.

The committees pointed out that proposals had been sent to the government repeatedly since 2018–2019, along with a public contribution of ₹1 lakh each deposited for the purpose. However, the demand has not been accepted for the past six to seven years. The petitioners appealed to the MP to press the State government to fulfil their long-pending demand and upgrade both schools to high school status.

The MP said that he would take up the issue with the School Education Minister for necessary action.