Damage to school buildings to be assessed soon: Sengottaiyan

School Education Minister K A Sengottaiyan said the assessment report will be submitted to Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami for immediate action.

“Repair and maintenance work will commence once it is approved by the Chief Minister,” the Minister said.

According to a senior department official, district education officers have been instructed to form a team and inspect schools in their respective areas immediately.

“The management of government and aided schools in Cuddalore, Nagapattinam, Thanjavur, Tiruvarur, Ramanathapuram, Pudukkottai and Tiruchy districts have also been told to inspect their respective institutions and submit a report about the damage caused,” the official said.

According to him, most of the damage in buildings and compound walls of the schools was caused by uprooted trees.

“Local body officials in the rain-affected areas have assured that all the uprooted trees inside the school premises will be removed within 24 hours,” the official said.

Stating that the safety of school children was ensured by district authorities declaring a holiday for all government schools in the affected areas since Thursday, he said educational officers will co-ordinate with their respective district collectors for relief efforts.

“Apart from carrying out repair works in the schools, the officials have been instructed to pump out rainwater found stagnating inside the premises,” he said, adding that department officials will take steps to prevent the breeding of mosquitos in the schools.