Tamil Nadu teacher paints classrooms like train coaches, boosting govt school enrolment

When students like Manimekalai finally returned to offline classes after months of COVID-era online learning, they expected the familiar: chalkboards, benches, and quiet corridors. Instead, they walked into a surprise at Pethanayakanur Government High School in Coimbatore district, Tamil Nadu.

Every classroom had been painted to resemble a colourful train coach. The school welcomed children back with music and a celebration-like atmosphere—an intentional effort to make the return to learning feel joyful, not intimidating.

“During the COVID pandemic, we had online classes. When we finally returned to school, we were amazed to see all the classrooms painted like train coaches. Sir welcomed us with music and celebration. It was unforgettable,” Manimekalai, now a Class 10 student, recalled.

The idea came from Balamurugan, the school’s Tamil teacher, who wanted children to feel excited about coming back to school after a difficult period of disruption and uncertainty.

A school once struggling for attention The train-coach classrooms may be the most visible symbol today, but the story of transformation began much earlier.

In 2012, Pethanayakanur Government High School reportedly had around 70 students. Infrastructure and facilities were relatively poor, shaping how parents perceived the school. Nearby alternatives were also strong: a larger government higher secondary school around 2 km away had more than 400 students, while another higher secondary school about 5 km away had over 900. Many families opted for those institutions or chose private schools.

Against that backdrop, Balamurugan joined the school in 2013 as a Tamil teacher. According to accounts from the school’s journey, he became a key driver of change during the early phase, working with colleagues to gradually improve how the school looked, felt, and functioned for children.

Rather than relying on one big announcement or a single renovation, the effort is described as a step-by-step improvement—focused on making the campus more welcoming and ensuring students felt a sense of pride in their government school.

Creativity as a bridge back to learning The pandemic created a new challenge for schools across India: how to bring children back into classrooms with confidence and motivation after long gaps in in-person learning.

At Pethanayakanur Government High School, the train theme was a simple but powerful message: school can feel like a journey—bright, engaging, and shared with friends.

For many children, visual cues matter. A colourful environment can reduce anxiety, encourage attendance, and strengthen a sense of belonging—especially for students who may already be uncertain about returning to routines.

The school’s welcome, with music and celebration, also highlighted something that is often overlooked in education conversations: emotional readiness. After months of isolation and screens, students needed warmth and community as much as they needed textbooks.

Growing enrolment and renewed trust Over time, the school’s efforts have been linked with a major outcome: enrolment is reported to have tripled compared to earlier years.

While infrastructure alone does not define learning, parents often use visible signals—cleanliness, safety, teacher engagement, and overall upkeep—to judge whether a school will support their children well. In that sense, thoughtful improvements can rebuild trust.

Pethanayakanur’s story is also a reminder that government schools can compete on creativity, care, and consistency—not only on budgets. A committed teacher, supportive colleagues, and a welcoming campus can change perceptions, one classroom at a time.

**Why it matters:** In a time when many families feel pressured towards expensive options, stories like Pethanayakanur show how public schools can strengthen confidence through simple, student-first ideas—and make learning feel inviting again.