NCC camp, no adequate facilities

CHENNAI: Camping is meant to be a character building and survival training exercise in student uniformed services like the National Cadet Corps (NCC). But the lack of basic facilities at a Government organised camp has parents and students disgruntled. Organised at Mahalakshmi College in Avadi, around 500 school students are attending the ten-day NCC camp, which started on 27 June. The students are not provided with proper toilet facilities or with water to bathe every day.Ganesh (name changed), a parent of one of the students who attended the camp said that they had expected better facilities, as it was a paid camp. “We paid `1200 for the camp, and the school insisted that they attend. The children were not allowed to bathe every day, so they had to make do with just washing their face or using a damp towel,” he says.Four students, desperate to leave, attempted to leave by scaling the walls of the college to escape. They were caught, and the parents were summoned. They were sent home with a warning, and will not be receiving a certificate for participating.There was also no good drinking water provided for the first few days. The students are allowed to have cell phones, and so complained to their parents, who in turn took the matter up with the school authorities. The schools then made arrangement for drinking water to be supplied at the camp. Ganesh says, “The school authorities were aware of the fact that the camp would be in this condition, as this happens every year. They are also under compulsion to send a minimum of ten students every year.”Students do the usual camp activities of early morning walks, exercises and drills. Sleeping accommodation are in a big hall where all 500 campers stay. There are no fans. Other parents say that they realise that the camp is meant to be a learning experience, but in the sweltering heat at night, at least fans should be provided.Parents were allowed to meet their children on Sunday, and few requested the authorities to let them go back home. Three students were granted permission and left for home. This would mean that they would not get a completion certification even after attending seven days of the camp. One of the students who attended the camp says, “We learnt a lot in camp, no doubt. But the hall where we stayed was too cramped for 500 people. The toilets were in a very bad condition and we could not use it.” She added, “This was my first camp, and I know I am never attending another camp in my life.”