Himachal Govt clears Rs 6.5 crore to rebuild six rain-damaged schools in Mandi district

Dipender Manta

Mandi, July 27

Even as the Mandi district authorities await funds required to rebuild 55 government schools that were damaged in last year’s rain, the state government has approved Rs 6.50 crore specifically for the reconstruction of six schools that suffered the total damage.

The Education Department has assigned the job to reconstruct the schools to the Public Works Department (PWD), which has received Rs 6.50 crore for the purpose.

55 schools need repair

The Mandi district authorities await funds to reconstruct 55 government schools that were damaged in the last year’s rain. Sushil Sharma, Deputy Director, Higher Education Department, said the department had submitted a report on the damage to schools to the state government following the disaster, estimating the total repair costs at Rs 14 crore.

Sushil Sharma, Deputy Director, Higher Education Department, said the department had submitted a report on the damage to schools to the state government following the disaster, estimating the total repair costs at Rs 14 crore. Of this, Rs 6.50 crore has been approved to start the reconstruction of the badly affected schools. As per information, the PWD will spend Rs 1.60 crore on the reconstruction of Ghran school, Rs 1.49 crore on Bagi Katauls school, Rs 1.25 crore on Deori school, Rs 90 lakh on Kathog school, Rs 74.28 lakh on Kholanal school and Rs 60.48 lakh on Sarkidhar School. The Deputy Director said the reconstruction work of school buildings had started at few places in the district.

“The PWD is responsible for rebuilding schools efficiently and to the required standards. The Education Department has arranged for temporary classrooms to minimise disruption to students’ education while the reconstruction is underway,” he said. He added that arrangements for students were made in Panchayat buildings or community centres temporarily.

Parents have expressed concerns and stressed the swift rebuilding of these schools for providing students with adequate educational facilities. Charan Singh, president of the school management committee of Senior Secondary School, Bagi Kataula, said: “We are hopeful that the school will be constructed soon to facilitate the students with better educational infrastructure. At present, classes are being conducted from a temporary structure.”

“The state government’s allocation of funds is a significant step towards restoring the educational infrastructure in Mandi district. It reflects a commitment to addressing the impact of the natural disaster and ensuring that students have access to safe and functional school buildings” he added.