Daijiworld Media Network - Chennai

Chennai, Feb 21: IRCDUC, a city-based NGO, has released a docudrama shedding light on the educational challenges faced by children living in resettlement camps on the outskirts of Chennai and has urged the Tamil Nadu government to conduct an immediate socio-economic and demographic census of all resettled children below 18 years of age in Perumbakkam, Chemmancheri and Kannagi Nagar.

According to a study conducted by IRCDUC in January 2025 among 770 students at the Perumbakkam resettlement site, long daily commutes to school are a major concern. The findings revealed that 55 per cent of children travel between 5 and 10 km one way to attend school. Around 16 per cent commute 11–15 km, while 14 per cent travel 16–20 km. Another 7 per cent travel 21–25 km and 8 per cent commute more than 26 km daily.

The organisation noted that such extended travel distances can adversely affect attendance, safety and learning outcomes, especially for younger students.

The docudrama highlights that many of these families were earlier residing and working within the city but were relocated to peripheral areas such as Kannagi Nagar, Perumbakkam and Chemmancheri. While some schools and colleges cater to students in these resettlement zones, IRCDUC stated that the existing infrastructure is insufficient to meet the needs of the growing population.

Vanessa Peter, founder of IRCDUC, said that documentation gaps were also a major concern. “During the study, we found it is not only out-of-school children who lack proper documentation, but even many school-going students do not have essential documents, especially community certificates,” she said.

She urged the state government to undertake a comprehensive socio-economic and demographic survey across all resettlement sites in and around Chennai to identify gaps in schooling access and ensure that children receive necessary documentation and educational support.