BELAGAVI: After four schools collapsed over a week because of non-stop rain in Khanapur taluk, the department of school education and literacy has closed over 300 classrooms in dilapidated primary and high schools in the Belagavi educational district.
The department has made alternative arrangements to continue classes.
In Belagavi city, some classrooms have been shifted to buildings taken on rent.
However, in rural areas, combined classes are being held in some schools.
“In some schools, we are using the library and extra curriculum activity rooms for classes. In some villages, there were new buildings, but they were not handed over. Now we are using those buildings,” deputy director of public instructions (DDPI) Basavaraj Nalatwad said.
Nalatwad said there was no dearth of funds to repair the classrooms. “We will start the repairs after the rain stops. There is also the option to getting the repairs done under the National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme, like repairing rooftops, installing pavers on the premises of schools, constructing toilets etc. There are also government fund available under NRDF and NABARD schemes,” he said.
According to sources, most of the old schools in the district, especially in rural areas have Mangalore tiles. Damage to the tiles causes leakage and seepage.
