Schools across Tripura are set to reopen on Tuesday, following significant improvement in the flood situation that had earlier wreaked havoc in the state. The devastating floods have caused substantial damage to the education sector, with 209 schools affected and an estimated loss of Rs. 11 crore, according to N.C. Sharma, Director of School Education.
In a press conference held at the State Secretariat on Sunday, Sharma detailed the widespread impact of the floods across various districts. West Tripura saw 13 schools affected, Sipahijala 38, Gomati 43, South Tripura 62, Khowai 12, Dhalai 22, Unakoti 18, and North Tripura 4. Notably, two schools—Jagatram Para SB School in Satchand and Banantopara JB School in Bharat Chandra Nagar—were completely destroyed by landslides triggered by the heavy rains.
Adding to the challenges, 231 schools statewide are currently being used as relief camps, offering shelter to those displaced by the floods. This has directly impacted around 12,000 students who have lost their textbooks and other educational materials. Sharma emphasized that before these schools reopen, thorough cleaning and disinfection will be carried out to ensure the safety of returning students and staff.
L. Darlong, Director of the State Council of Educational Research and Training (SCERT), announced that distribution of replacement textbooks would begin from tomorrow, assuring that there are sufficient textbooks in stock to meet the needs of the affected students.
Meanwhile, Director of Higher Education Animesh Debbarma stated that all government and private degree colleges, as well as technical institutions, have been closed since August 22. The law entrance exams have been postponed, and Tripura Central University has been asked to delay its semester exams. The floods have also caused significant damage to Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar College in Belonia and the access road to Swami Vivekananda College in Mohanpur.
The Bogafa Public Library has also suffered severe damage, with nearly 7,000 books destroyed. Relief camps have been set up at Dharmanagar Government Degree College and Ramkrishna Mahavidyalaya in Kailashahar to assist flood victims.
