Attendance in Kodagu schools improving as water recedes

Children can continue studies in neighbouring districts

A girl on her way to school in Halleri in Kodagu district.

With more people from the relief camps in Kodagu returning to their homes with floodwaters receding and roads getting repaired, attendance in schools in the district is showing improvement.

Out of 763 schoolchildren who had been housed in various relief camps, 263 have returned to their schools. Many have migrated to other places along with parents and accommodated in friends’ and relatives’ houses.

As a temporary arrangement until the roads and buildings get completely repaired, the Department of Public Instruction has arranged for the education of flood-affected children to continue in the schools of neighbouring districts. Deputy Director of Public Instruction Walter D’Mello told

The Hindu that children from Sampaje area can opt for schooling in Mangaluru since there is a provision for such an arrangement if the persons were affected by a calamity.

The schools have to admit them without seeking any documents, including transfer certificates, and the textbooks will be provided to them.

“If families come across any problems in getting their wards admitted to schools other than in Kodagu, they can contact us and we will be able to help them,” he said.

The DDPI said hostel facility will also be provided to the children if they wish. If they were unable to stay in relief camps, they can stay in hostels. “Not many parents housed in the relief camps were keen on hostel facility.”