Chief Minister Siddaramaiah’s alleged “apathy” in reconstructing 488 classrooms which were in a dilapidated condition in Mysuru district, has created panic among of the Education department officials. They have not responded to letters written by schools seeking grants to re-construct the class rooms which were demolished recently.
The schools have urged the Deputy Director of Public Instruction (DDPI) to release grants to re-construct the classrooms as they are finding it highly difficult to run classes in the existing rooms. Education Department officials had been hoping the Chief Minister would announce grants under the Chief Minister special grants during his recent visit to Mysuru, but Mr. Siddaramaiah did not raise the issue. Many of these schools have started holding classes in temples and community halls. S.R. Mahesh, K.R. Nagar MLA, had to intervene in a scuffle between villagers of Hebbal in K.R. Nagar and the School Development and Monitoring Committee over the absence of adequate classrooms in the school.
Over 368 class rooms have been demolished of the 488 class rooms identified as old and in dilapidated condition in the district. The Education Department has instructed schools not to demolish remaining classrooms till further order and has also asked them not to hold classes in them. Officials said the Education Department did not have funds to reconstruct class rooms and alleged that the Sarva Shikshana Abhiyana, New Delhi, had turned down their appeal for funds. According to estimates prepared by authorities, the unit cost of building a classroom is Rs. 6.5 lakh.
