PANJIM: As many as 23 government school buildings were damaged, one completely, due to gusty winds and rainfall caused by Cyclone Tauktae last week. The total loss is estimated to be around Rs 40 lakh.
In all 16 government schools located in different parts of North Goa district were partially damaged due to cyclone. Six government school buildings in Tiswadi taluka, three each in Bardez, Pernem and Bicholim talukas and one building each at Keri-Sattari and Amona were damaged.
In South Goa district, six government school buildings including a higher secondary school building at Baina suffered partial damages while, the Government High School building situated at Gaval Khol, Canacona was completely damaged due to blowing of roof tiles, falling of false ceilings and damage to walls and furniture etc causing a loss of Rs 25 lakh.
Following Sunday’s cyclone, the Education Department had asked all the school headmasters and principals to submit the detailed reports on the damages caused to government school buildings due to cyclone.
Most of the headmasters have reported the details of the damages to their respective school buildings while, the status of other government school buildings are awaited after which the extent of damages will be assessed.
From the beginning of the current academic year, the schools are closed due to coronavirus and now online classes suspended due to curfew imposed by the State government to prevent the spread of the disease.
Meanwhile, the repairs of all these damaged schools will be undertaken by the public works department (PWD) on war footing, it was informed.
Also the ongoing structural audit of all government school buildings is suffered due to prevailing COVID-19 pandemic. The PWD could complete the structural audit of only one government primary school building situated at Chincholem, Bhatlem.
