The Hindu : Tamil Nadu News : Reconstruction of roofs in full swing

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Friday, Jul 23, 2004

Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu

Reconstruction of roofs in full swing

By Our Special Correspondent

CHENNAI, JULY 22. The contours of the problem of thatched-roof in schools are becoming clear. According to preliminary estimates here, about 6,000 out of the 48,000 schools have thatched structures, which will have to be replaced with non-flammable material by this month-end.

With the District Collectors and education officials taking the drive against thatched roof seriously, official sources say the process of "reconstruction" of roofs is in full swing.

Schools fall into three categories: government, aided and private. The headmasters have been asked to certify that the thatches have been replaced with non-flammable material roofs. After the deadline, the district-level monitoring committees will do a random inspection.

Permanent buildings

As for government schools, officials say there is a programme to construct permanent buildings for primary schools under the Sarva Siksha Abhiyan. This year, about 10,000 classrooms in 4,000 schools will be constructed at a cost of Rs. 135 crores. In cases, where a temporary arrangement is necessary to meet the deadline, the authorities have been given permission to use SSA funds. It may cost about Rs. 25,000 per school, as only a few classes may be conducted under thatched roofs.

About the type of non-flammable material to be used, the sources say that any cost-effective material can be used, but the schools have been asked to avoid asbestos for reasons of health.

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