From Our Special Correspondent
Daijiworld Media Network - Bangalore
Bangalore, Jun 11: All State Government-run residential schools will be provided with permanent buildings within on year.
Talking to reporters in Bangalore on Wednesday, Social Welfare Minister H Anjaneya said as many as 150 residential schools were functioning in rented buildings without adequate basic facilities.
Many of the residential schools were functioning in a small building with four to five toilets for 250 students.
The previous government started the residential schools in whichever buildings that were available without bothering to check whether they have facilities or not, he said.
With more than 150 government-run residential schools have been housed in rented buildings, the minister instructed deputy directors of the department to identity at least 10 acres (government land or private lands) each for each school.
Land would be utilised for construction of school buildings, staff quarters and playground, he said.
Anjaneya said officials have been instructed to identify lands in their respective districts within two months.
Permanent buildings will be provided to all government-run residential schools in the State.
Now they have been functioning in rented buildings without adequate basic facilities, including play grounds and toilets.
To avoid inconvenience being caused to poor students, the state government had decided to house all residential schools in permanent buildings at a cost of Rs 12 crore.
Facilities like adequate number of class rooms, staff quarters, rooms, good number of toilets, playground and good furniture would be provided.
At many places, works allotted to Public Works Department and other government agencies have not completed buildings even after five to six years.
"I am optimistic of providing permanent buildings to all residential schools within one year,” he said.
Anjaneya said in view of lack of facilities in many residential schools, the department may restrict admission to 40 students per school but it would accommodate them in other residencial schools in the same area.
If needed, the department would take the spacious buildings on rent and provide accommodation to all students 'temporarily' till alternative arrangements were made.
Caste Census
The minister said caste census is likely to be started in the state by October.
The State Government had already apointed a retired IAS officer, B V Naik as special officer.
The census was important to study social and economic condition of each and every family.
Since the supreme court had banned utilising the services of teachers on work other than teaching, a meeting would be held to explore the possibilities of using their services during vacation by giving them honorarium.
"I will be writing a letter to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah to appoint chairperson for the State Backward Classes Commission at the earliest,” he added.