PANAJI
The Education Department has identified 84 primary school buildings lying unused all across the State and these structures could well be handed over to government offices, NGOs and other organisations.
According to sources, the department began the process of identifying government primary school buildings which were not in use as the schools were closed down and to use these structures for other purposes.
Accordingly, the department has prepared a list of 84 such primary school buildings lying unused across the State.
Most of these unused primary school buildings are in Ponda taluka (15), followed by Quepem (12), Pernem (12), Bicholim (11), Sattari (10), Sanguem (8), Canacona (6), Dharbandora (6) and Bardez (4).
Last month, the State government had notified a scheme to transfer unoccupied school buildings and land to non-profit institutions and social organisations.
A high-powered committee headed by Chief Minister Pramod Sawant has been set up to scrutinise the applications and allot the buildings for other purposes.
Many government offices running in rented premises will also get their own premises as part of this scheme to utilise unused primary school buildings.
Before scrutiny of applications, the Education Department has asked departments and corporations to submit the requirements within 15 days.
On receipt of requirements and analysing applications from NGO and social organisations, the government will then hand over these unused primary school buildings to be put into alternate use.
