The Marist Nursery and Primary School located in Vizhalanmedu, India opened mid-2015 and continues its growth
Previously, the very under-privileged young children of Vizhalanmedu would have to travel long distances at great expense on dangerous roads to access a so-called matriculation school to give them an opportunity to enrol in higher education. In India, a matriculation school is one where the teaching language is English. The Marist Nursery and Primary School (located in Vizhalanmedu, India) caters for the young people in this rural community who would otherwise have to travel approximately 6 km on foot to and from school each day.
The build for this new educational facility broke ground after Marist Solidarity in Australia funded the construction costs of the school building’s ground floor, which included five classrooms, a library, staff room and school office. Whilst our partners in India, including the Province of South Asia, funded the project’s second stage on the first floor, which has six classrooms and an audio-visual room. The first floor expansion allowed the school to double its current enrolments from 70 students in 2015-16 to 140 students in 2016-17.
As the school continues its grow, so too does the demands on its infrastructure. Thanks to the generous support from our donors, in particular St Patrick’s Marist College – Dundas and St Teresa’s Catholic College – Noosaville, the school has now been able to construct a new space to allow for a greater intake. This new space – “an open stage” – will provide the students with a place for assembly and performances and also an undercover, social meals and play area.
To find out more about our work in India or to donate please visit our website: India