No ground; educational institutions pushing students indoors
KOCHI: Shrinking open spaces in schools and colleges across Kochi are limiting students’ access to playgrounds and forcing institutions to move activities indoors or use facilities outside their campuses.
At the nearly 200-year-old Sree Rama Varma (SRV) School, Class XI students play football on a poorly maintained basketball court as the campus has no functional football ground. Construction equipment and parked cars occupy open areas, while another space has overgrown vegetation and stagnant rainwater. The campus also houses education department buildings and offices.
“A football turf is under construction, but it is not operational so far,” said a student.
As educational institutions expand classrooms and other infrastructure, playgrounds and spaces used for assemblies, physical education, cultural activities and informal interaction are coming under pressure.
Francis V P, a physical education teacher at an aided school, said no govt or aided school in the city had adequate open space or a proper sports ground. Major school athletic meets are often held at Maharaja’s College ground because schools lack sufficient space.
“Even existing spaces are shrinking each year as new buildings come up. Schools are left with old, compound-like yards where students can barely run. Though students now have spikes and proper shoes, the spaces are too limited to practise properly,” he said.
Dr Vivek U, consultant child psychiatrist at Renai Medicity, said schools should not be viewed merely as places for academic learning, as sport and co-curricular activities were important for children’s development.
“Sports are not just about winning or participating in group activities. They also teach children to accept failure,” he said.
Vivek said holding assemblies in indoor auditoriums reduces children’s exposure to sunlight, affecting their physical and mental well-being. He said nearly 75% of people were Vitamin D-deficient, with the condition more prevalent among children.
Govt Arts and Science College, Tripunithura, is among colleges with limited campus space. Postgraduate student and former union chairman Arjun Anilkumar K E said students competing in university cricket and football tournaments practise at Govt Ayurveda College ground.
At the nearly 200-year-old Sree Rama Varma (SRV) School, Class XI students play football on a poorly maintained basketball court as the campus has no functional football ground. Construction equipment and parked cars occupy open areas, while another space has overgrown vegetation and stagnant rainwater. The campus also houses education department buildings and offices.
“A football turf is under construction, but it is not operational so far,” said a student.
As educational institutions expand classrooms and other infrastructure, playgrounds and spaces used for assemblies, physical education, cultural activities and informal interaction are coming under pressure.
Francis V P, a physical education teacher at an aided school, said no govt or aided school in the city had adequate open space or a proper sports ground. Major school athletic meets are often held at Maharaja’s College ground because schools lack sufficient space.
“Even existing spaces are shrinking each year as new buildings come up. Schools are left with old, compound-like yards where students can barely run. Though students now have spikes and proper shoes, the spaces are too limited to practise properly,” he said.
Dr Vivek U, consultant child psychiatrist at Renai Medicity, said schools should not be viewed merely as places for academic learning, as sport and co-curricular activities were important for children’s development.
“Sports are not just about winning or participating in group activities. They also teach children to accept failure,” he said.
Vivek said holding assemblies in indoor auditoriums reduces children’s exposure to sunlight, affecting their physical and mental well-being. He said nearly 75% of people were Vitamin D-deficient, with the condition more prevalent among children.
Govt Arts and Science College, Tripunithura, is among colleges with limited campus space. Postgraduate student and former union chairman Arjun Anilkumar K E said students competing in university cricket and football tournaments practise at Govt Ayurveda College ground.
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