Daijiworld Media Network – Mangaluru (MS)
Mangaluru, May 29: The building of Belaringe Government School collapsed during a day-long rain that lashed Kinya recently. But this is not just one school that is posing danger to the lives of students in the district of Dakshina Kannada (DK). A whopping 62 school buildings are on the verge of collapse.
Fortunately in the school building that collapsed at Kinya, no children were inside the classrooms. It is estimated that Rs 1.75 crore is required for repairing the dilapidated schools of Dakshina Kannada.
Every year, a budget provision is made for the repair of government school buildings. In the last two years, the schools did not run due to Covid pandemic. However, the grant was also not released for the same. That is why the repair work has stalled for the two to three years. But the education department gives a list to the engineering department of Panchayat Raj every year.
At present, 15 schools in Bantwal, five in Beltangady, 14 in Mangaluru, nine in Moodbidri, 10 in Puttur and nine schools in Sullia need urgent repairs.
Panchayat Raj engineering department officials say that they have already visited the schools and instructed the head teacher and SDMC not to hold classes in buildings which need repair.
According to school teacher Jagadish, more than 300 schools in Dakshina Kannada are having buildings that are in a precarious condition. "The government is not releasing grants on time. During the rainy season, these school buildings may pose danger to the lives of students," he expressed concern.