Students in Kodagu rehabilitated, says Govt report

The state government has submitted a report to Lokayukta on the steps taken to rehabilitate students affected by floods in Kodagu district. The report stated that 304 students (studying in class 1 to 10) were affected due to floods. Among them, 249 students are from Madikeri taluk and 55 are from Somwarpet taluk.

The Lokayukta had taken up a suo mutu complaint and directed the authorities to accommodate such students at colleges in neighbouring districts.

The report stated that while most of the students, studying in class 1 to II PUC, have been attending schools and colleges from their relatives’ homes, a few have been enrolled at schools and colleges in the neighbouring districts.

Most of the students have been accommodated in schools and colleges close to the relief camps where their parents and relatives are put up since the floods hit the area. Around 205 students are going to schools by staying at their relatives’ homes in and around Madikeri and Somwarpet, the government said.

Schools at Devarakolli, Monnangeri in Madikeri cluster, Arekallu in Sampaje cluster, Kandanakolli and Kaluru in Mekeri cluster have no road connectivity till date. The report further stated that a total 11,229 students are studying in government, aided and unaided pre-university colleges in the district. Some classrooms at government colleges in Madikeri and Napoklu have leaking ceilings.

“The parents of 11 PU students have lost their homes and hence, arrangements have been made for their stay and education at free of cost,’’ the report said.

In the order, Lokayukta Justice P Vishwanath Shetty said, “The report shows that effective steps are being taken by the state government and the Universities to rehabilitate the students who are affected.

“However, it is a continuous process, where constant monitoring is required for the purpose of imparting quality education to the students affected by land sliding. If any one student is lagging behind in performance, special attention is required to be given to improve academic performance of such student.”