Parakkadi Alp School

Parakkadi Alp School is over at 165, John Selvaraj Nagar. We’re tucked away in Kumbakonam, which is a place known for its temples and history. Our school is just a small part of this community. The building has been here for a good while and shows its age in a few spots, but it’s solid. We have classrooms that get plenty of sunlight during the day. Most of the children come from the surrounding houses in John Selvaraj Nagar. They walk here with their bags and water bottles every morning. I usually stand by the entrance to see them in. It's a loud and lively place once the first bell goes off. We focus on the basic subjects and try to make sure everyone understands the lessons before moving on. We don't have a lot of fancy technology, mostly just chalkboards and textbooks. Sometimes we have small events for the kids, but nothing too extravagant. The staff here is small, so we all end up doing a bit of everything, from teaching to helping tidy up the rooms. It’s a practical way to run a school. The parents are usually busy with their own work, but they always find time to ask how things are going. We just keep things moving day by day here in Kumbakonam, making sure the kids have a place to learn their lessons.