Human waste allegedly found in Government School water tank

A complaint that human waste was found in a drinking water tank at a government school near Palani triggered tension after parents of students gathered at the school and questioned the authorities.
Around 100 students from Manur and surrounding areas are studying at the Panchayat Union Primary School in Manur near Palani. The issue came to light after the school reopened on October 5 following the quarterly examination break. According to school authorities, noon-meal staff who arrived in the morning found human waste inside a plastic tank used to store drinking water. They informed Headmaster Jayakumar, after which the tank was removed, cleaned and kept separately. Education department officials were also informed.
Jayakumar said the school faces a shortage of drinking water and therefore uses a plastic tank to store water for students. He said the tank was empty when the waste was found and that no student was likely to have consumed the water. Health officials also inspected the premises.
Parents alleged that the school lacked adequate drinking water and sanitation facilities and demanded proper toilets, surveillance cameras and other basic amenities. Keeranur police questioned the teachers and parents and are investigating the complaint. Officials also inspected the school after parents expressed concern that the water might have been used for preparing the morning meal. During the inspection, officials ate the morning meal along with the students.