School wall collapses amid stalled repair funds

Mangaluru: A compound wall of Govt Model School in Vittal collapsed Saturday evening following rain, triggering fresh concerns over school safety in the district ahead of the monsoon.The school wall abutting the main road collapsed onto the roadside at night. No one was injured in the incident.Most vehicles usually parked along the stretch had already been moved, limiting the damage to a single two-wheeler. Residents, however, said the outcome could have been far worse had the wall given way during the day, when the road is often lined with parked vehicles.Locals in Vittal have urged authorities to inspect the site immediately and rebuild the collapsed wall before heavier rains set in.The incident has renewed focus on stalled school maintenance works, with 304 govt schools in the district still awaiting restoration funds ahead of the monsoon. An official said no restoration funds have been sanctioned by the DC's office despite repeated follow-ups.There are 304 schools that need repairs before the monsoon. We have been asked to verify the data shared more than five times, but no funds have been received, he said. A proposal seeking Rs 7.1 crore for repair works has already been submitted, but approval is still pending.The school authorities said the pending sanction has delayed urgent restoration work in several institutions damaged by earlier rains. The highest number of affected schools has been reported from Belthangady, Puttur and Mangaluru taluks. DC Darshan HV also confirmed that schools have not yet received funds.