Kerala Allocates Rs 5,000 Crore for School Infrastructure Upgrade

Thiruvananthapuram: The Government of Kerala will expedite the demolition of structurally unsafe and outdated school buildings across the state, General Education Minister V. Sivankutty announced on Friday. The move is part of a broader infrastructure improvement initiative, which includes the allocation of Rs 5,000 crore for the construction of new buildings in government and aided schools.

The minister noted that many school buildings in the state are over a century old and have deteriorated significantly over time. These buildings are no longer fit for use and pose safety risks to students and staff. However, delays in demolition have been reported in several areas due to administrative challenges at the local level.

He added that the government is prepared to introduce legal measures to address these delays and ensure that the demolition process moves forward without unnecessary hindrance.

Local self-governing bodies and the general public have been urged to cooperate with the effort and remain vigilant regarding the condition of school buildings in their areas. The demolition of unsafe structures is essential to make way for the timely construction of new facilities under the state’s school infrastructure development plan.

The Rs 5,000 crore allocation represents the state’s largest investment to date in public school infrastructure, aimed at improving the safety, functionality, and learning environment in Kerala’s educational institutions.