Alleging that the nearly two-decades-old panchayat school building is in danger of collapsing, parents and villagers in Ulundurpet demanded that a new building be build before students are hurt.

"Nearly 250 students from Pillaiyarkuppam and other nearby villages study in the Panchayat Union Middle School near Ulundurpet, which has classes I to VIII. There are three different buildings in the school premises and one of them, with three classrooms, is in a dangerous condition," said PA Palanivel, parent of a student studying there.

He also said last week, when he had gone to drop his child at school, a portion of the already-damaged roof fell, causing panic. Fortunately, students who were standing below the roof to take shelter from the rain, moved away and escaped injuries.

M Thavidan, another villager said  for the last eight years the classes in the damaged building have been stopped and are being held under trees instead.

"We have been demanding a new building and demolition of the old one for the past eight years, but no action has been taken. Often, students have to pass through the damaged building to reach the other two buildings, and when they cross, they are scared," added Sakthivel, another parent.

The villagers also wrote a petition to the district Collector and education department officials seeking a new building before a tragedy occurs. The petition signed by all villagers and parents was handed over to headmaster Catherine, who assured that it would be forwarded to respective officials.