Dharwad: Even as the number of students getting enrolled into government schools for various reasons in Dharwad district is increasing, the facilities available are falling short. With the government not releasing funds adequately, the department of public instruction is looking to the corporate sector for financial assistance under Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR).
There are over 850 government schools in Dharwad district with more than 1.5 lakh students studying there. In many schools, the classrooms and toilets are not in usable condition. Inadequate drinking water, lack of proper playgrounds and furniture haunt many schools.
There was a time when admitting children to government schools was the last priority. But not anymore. The Covid-19 pandemic has made many parents look to government schools as they could not afford the fees charged by private unaided schools. The circular that one cannot get admission under RTE if there is a government or private aided school in the vicinity has also compelled parents to send their children to government schools.
As per the Supreme Court’s order, there should be one toilet for every 20 children. But there are not many toilets and even those which exist are not maintained properly. The list of toilets that need repair is long.
The department of education has submitted a proposal to the government for construction of 54 new classrooms and repair of 88 classrooms in the district. It has requested the corporate sector to repair 413 classrooms under CSR. In the last two years, as many as 500 classrooms have been constructed with funds under CSR. For repair of buildings damaged due to heavy rains 148 schools have received Rs 2 lakh each under NDRF.
As many as 39 government school buildings in rural areas are in bad shape thanks to heavy pre-monsoon rains. Schools in Karadigudda and Tadakod have suffered maximum damage. Officials said the request to the government seeking repairs of the damaged buildings have failed to elicit any response.
According to Dharwad rural block education officer Umesh Bommakkanavar, the buildings of 107 primary and seven high schools have been repaired by the government and work on construction of 10 rooms is in progress. A proposal for the construction of another 13 rooms has been sent, he said. (Times of India)
