Over 600 classrooms in 292 schools soon

[sajiv]

Middle schools to get major share in the fund allotted for the current year under SSA schemeThe classrooms will be constructed at a cost of Rs. 21.5 crore Over 7,800 students to benefit

SALEM: Over 600 new classrooms would be constructed in 292 schools in Salem district at an estimated cost of Rs. 21.5 crore in the current fiscal.

The buildings would have all necessary facilities, including better ventilation, benefiting over 26,000 children in different parts of the district. The fund was allotted under the Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA) scheme, Collector N. Mathivanan said after handing over funds for the construction of classrooms to the heads of village education committee here on Wednesday.

The middle schools in the district would get a major share in the fund allotted for the current year. A sum of Rs. 6.04 crore was earmarked for the construction of 195 classrooms in 92 middle schools. It would benefit over 7,800 children. A total of 93 primary schools would get 181 classrooms. The construction at these schools would be carried out at a cost of Rs. 5.63 crore. Another 171 classrooms would be built at 57 middle schools, which were upgraded in the current year, at an estimated cost of Rs. 5.56 crore. A total of 65 classrooms would be constructed in 26 high schools and 55 classrooms in 24 higher secondary schools.

Mr. Mathivanan added that the district administration had constructed a total of 1,958 classrooms at a cost of Rs. 32.51 crore between 2001-02 to 2007-08 under the SSA, benefiting over 78,000 children.

He called upon the heads of the village education committees to ensure quality in the construction of the classrooms. They should realise that the school buildings were public assets and ensure regular maintenance, he stressed.

SSA Chief Educational Officer R. Sivagnanam and senior officials were present.