Repair work completed in 243 Dakshina Kannada schools that suffered damage in last year’s rain

Representation picture of St. Peter Aided Higher Primary School in Kottara, in Mangaluru.
| Photo Credit: H.S. Manjunath

Works to repair damage caused to 243 schools in Dakshina Kannada, due to heavy rains in 2024, has been completed, as the schools reopen for the new academic year from May 29.

The in-charge Dakshina Kannada Deputy Director of Public Instruction (DDPI), Rajalakshmi, said the State Government had released a total of ₹4.56 crore, in two phases, for repair works. “The repair work has been completed in all the 243 schools that had suffered damage last year,” she said.

As per statistics provided by the office of Dakshina Kannada DDPI, a maximum of ₹1.34 crore was sanctioned for repair works in 67 schools of Belthangady taluk. As much as ₹1.08 crore was released for 54 schools in Sullia taluk; ₹73 lakh for 40 schools in Bantwal taluk; ₹53.7 lakh for 33 schools in Puttur taluk; and ₹36.4 lakh for 23 schools in Kadaba taluk.

The government released ₹18 lakh for repair work in nine schools in Ullal taluk, ₹14 lakh for seven schools in Mangaluru taluk, ₹12 lakh for six schools in Mulky taluk, and ₹7 lakh to four schools in Moodbidri taluk.

Ms. Rajalakshmi said a proposal has been sent to the government this year seeking ₹15.17 crore for repair work in 334 schools, which includes 39 schools that suffered damage so far due to rains in May.

Additional classrooms built

Additional classrooms have been constructed by Panchayat Raj Engineering Department in 252 of the 312 schools, for which government had released ₹6.97 crore for the year 2024-25, the official said.

Dakshina Kannada Zilla Panchayat Chief Executive Officer K. Anandh, who is holding additional charge as the Dakshina Kannada Deputy Commissioner, said in light of prediction of heavy rains for monsoon, school teachers and anganwadi personnel have been cautioned against use of leaking rooms for students.

As per the new directions, the Block Education Officer has been given responsibility of carrying out repairs of classrooms that are in dilapidated condition. After concerned school head master informs about condition of classrooms, the BEO should bring it to notice of Taluk Panchayat Executive Officer (EO). Following report by three-member committee headed by EO, BEO should take steps for repair of classrooms, Dr. Anandh said.