140 schools damaged in Mandi, studies of 15,479 students affected
The recent cloudbursts and flashfloods in Mandi district have left behind a trail of destruction, severely impacting the education sector. Around 140 schools in various Assembly constituencies of Mandi district have suffered severe damage, disrupting the studies of thousands of students.
On June 30, a series of cloudbursts wreaked havoc in Seraj, Nachan, Karsog and Dharampur Assembly constituencies, claiming 15 lives. As many as 27 persons are still missing. Educational institutions were among the worst hit while houses, cowsheds and infrastructure suffered widespread damage.
According to officials, 27 government primary schools in the Bagsyad education block in Seraj were damaged. Of these, 17 schools have been deemed to be fit for the resumption of classes while 10 others remain non-functional for various reasons. In several areas, damaged pedestrian paths have made schools inaccessible while some buildings have been rendered completely unsafe.
“Six elementary schools were fully damaged due to heavy rain,” says Vijay Gupta, Deputy Director, Elementary Education Department. “Alternative arrangements are being made so that the academic session of students does not suffer,” he adds.
The higher education sector also bore the brunt of the rain disaster. A total of 113 schools in Mandi district were reportedly damaged. Five school buildings suffered severe structural damage while 108 schools were partially damaged. The Seraj Assembly constituency recorded the maximum number of 26 damaged schools, followed by Darang (16), Nachan and Dharampur (11 each), Jogindernagar and Balh (10 each), Karsog and Sundernagar (9 each), Sarkaghat (8) and Mandi Sadar (3).
Deputy Director, Higher Education, Yashvir Dheeman says, “The rain disaster has impacted around 50 per cent of the students enrolled in these schools. As access routes have been damaged, many students are unable to attend schools. We are making special arrangements to bridge the learning gap and have issued directives to the teachers of the affected schools.”
As many as 15,479 students are enrolled in the higher education institutions that have been affected by cloudbursts and flashfloods. While most of the schools have now resumed classes, the district administration, along with the Education Department, are working to set up temporary or alternative classrooms in areas where school buildings have been completely destroyed.
Local officials say that the restoration of educational infrastructure is a priority. Teachers have been instructed to provide additional academic support and flexible learning schedules to help the affected students make up for the loss of studies.
Himachal Tribune