Caught off guard by an early onset of monsoon, the Public Works Department (PWD) has reportedly put a temporary halt on roofing work across a majority of government schools in the state as several schools are struggling to accommodate students. Government schools have been scrambling to make last-minute arrangements as classrooms remain roofless or under repairs. The situation has caused distress among teachers, students and parents raising concern about safety and readiness for the new academic year. The incessant showers have prompted the authorities to temporarily relocate educational institutions to alternative premises including temples and panchayat halls on the very first day of the new academic year. This reshuffling of the premises does not augur well for the students. It is learnt that around 250 schools were undergoing repairs overall and roofing work remains incomplete at approximately 40 schools. Pre-monsoon showers are not a new phenomenon in the state. The repair work of the school rooftops should have been completed much before the pre-monsoon showers. This would have prevented hardship for the students, teachers and parents. The pending work needs to be completed on priority basis as and when weather permits.
