Puri: The district administration and the School and Mass Education (S&ME) department are yet to restore infrastructure at several primary and high schools that were damaged by cyclonic storm Fani, May 3.
Delay in the restoration of infrastructure has been hindering classroom teachings at several cyclone-damaged schools in the district here, sources said.
According to sources in the district administration, the summer storm had caused damage to around 2,000 primary and high schools in Puri district. Altogether 172 schools in the district were severely damaged by the cyclone.
It is learnt that several schools under Puri Sadar, Brahmagiri, Gop, Nimapara and Kakatpur blocks suffered extensive damage during the storm.
“The boundary walls, asbestos roofs and furniture of many schools in the district here were damaged by the cyclones. Besides, the storm had caused destruction to the sanitation facilities and drinking water systems at several primary and high schools,” said a source familiar with the issue.
In his report to the administration, the district education officer (DEO) claimed that the cyclone had damaged infrastructure worth Rs 38 crore in Puri district. However, the administration has failed to restore damaged infrastructure in schools even though three months have elapsed since the cyclone hit Odisha coast, sources said.
Sources claimed that the boundary wall and asbestos roofs of the Government Girls’ High School in the Holy City here were damaged by the cyclone. Besides, a toilet complex at the school suffered damage. However, no step has been taken to restore the damaged infrastructure.
The summer storm had damaged the drinking water supply system at Bholanath Vidyapeeth in the city here. At present, the students are fetching drinking water from an ill-maintained tubewell, sources claimed.
“Stray cattle roam on the premises of several schools as the authorities concerned have failed to repair the damaged boundary walls. Some schools are yet to be made fit for classroom teachings.
These schools are only serving midday meals to students. The restoration work is going on in pen and paper only,” added the source.
When contacted, DEO Bishwajit Ghosh said the administration is trying its best to restore damaged infrastructure in schools. “The cyclone had caused extensive damage at hundreds of schools in Puri district. We have asked the headmasters to take necessary steps to provide classroom teachings to students,” he added.
