Erode Hamlet Struggles with Migration, Schools Left with Just One Student

Quick summary

• Location: Malliamman Durgham hamlet in Kadambur Hills, Erode district, Tamil Nadu.
• Population Decline: Original population of 159 families has reduced to fewer than 40 due to lack of motorable roads, electricity, and income opportunities.
• Education Crisis: Only one student remains at the Panchayat Union Middle School. In 2024-25, eight students enrolled; six obtained transfer certificates as their families migrated. Two girls where admitted to hostels at Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidyalaya. This year saw another student leave after securing a TC.
• Teacher Appointment: A temporary staff member began this academic year; a permanent teacher joined two weeks ago.
• Accessibility Issues: The village can only be accessed via a rugged nine-kilometre path by pick-up van after a two-hour journey from Kadambur town.
• Economic Conditions: Residents rely solely on millet farming for subsistence. Solar lighting systems installed in 2018 are no longer functional; kerosene lanterns are used for illumination.
• Migration Reasons: Families have moved to Sathyamangalam seeking jobs and educational opportunities for children.many return only during festivals.
• Infrastructure Barriers: The hamlet has remained disconnected since Independence except brief access to electricity in 1972 and limited solar power availability in 2018.

Indian Opinion Analysis

The plight of Malliamman Durgham highlights the urgent need for infrastructure development in remote tribal settlements across India. Lack of basic amenities like roads and electricity not only hinders daily life but also accelerates migration-leading to social disintegration and challenges such as school shutdowns due to dwindling enrollments.

Providing immediate road connectivity and enduring access to power would address key barriers that currently drive economic instability among rural communities like those in kadambur Hills. Additionally, empowering local schools with adequate resources (teachers included) is crucial not just for education but also retaining populations who view schooling as essential.

This case mirrors broader concerns about rural depopulation seen nationwide when development efforts fail these regions-a situation that demands extensive government attention prioritizing inclusivity within historically marginalized areas.

Link For Read More: The Hindu