Students from 61 schools, which have been hit by floods, will be transferred to the nearest government, aided and private schools, Primary and Secondary Education Minister N Mahesh said on Thursday.

He said the damage to roads had made it impossible for students to reach schools. “We have started lessons at rehabilitation centres in places where mobility has become impossible,” he said.

He said buildings of nine schools had collapsed completely, 163 classrooms had suffered damages and steps would be taken to restore them. “We need up to Rs 4 crore for these works,” he said.

Welcoming the decision of the government employees and teachers to give away their one day’s salary to the chief minister’s relief fund, he said it would amount to a contribution of Rs 100 crore.

“We are getting Rs 40 crore from teachers alone,” he said, adding that Rs 120 crore sanctioned for restoration of classrooms would also be put to use.

“The incessant rain has forced schools and colleges to declare holiday for a month. The teachers will complete the syllabus by taking classes on Saturdays and Sundays. We want to ensure that children’s educational needs are not affected. Help will be provided to those who lost their textbooks and notebooks in the floods,” the minister said.

He said the district had been sanctioned 1,573 teachers and there were 202 vacancies. “We will not allow unnecessary transfers from Kodagu. On the other hand, requests for transfers to Kodagu will be approved soon,” he said.