MRPL sanctions CSR fund for development of govt schools

Mangaluru: MLC Manjunath Bhandary said that to empower govt schools in the rural areas of two coastal districts and provide quality infrastructure for students, the Mangalore Refinery and Petrochemicals Ltd (MRPL) released grants under its CSR fund to selected educational institutions in Udupi and Dakshina Kannada districts.Despite a significant increase in student numbers in several govt schools in the coastal districts, there were no corresponding classroom facilities, the MLC said. "Taking this issue seriously, I personally visited the schools to understand their needs. There is a necessity for well-equipped buildings for the educational welfare of poor and rural children. Hence, I wrote to the directors of MRPL, urging special funding. Responding positively to my concern, the company has now approved the allocation of funds," Bhandary said.For the construction of a new room at Muniyalu Karnataka Public School (Primary Section) in Hebri taluk, Udupi district, Rs 95 lakh has been approved, Rs 95 lakh for Hebri Govt Model Higher Primary School, and Rs 78.8 lakh for development works at Hebri Govt Pre-University College (high school section). Additionally, Bajagoli Govt High School, Siddapura Govt High School, and Basrur Govt High School have been allocated Rs 78.8 lakh each, totalling over Rs 2.3 crore in grants, the MLC said.In the Dakshina Kannada district, Rs 92 lakh was allocated for the construction of a well-equipped auditorium at Benjanapadavu Govt Pre-University College and Rs 40 lakh was reserved for the construction of three new classrooms. Similarly, Rs 80 lakh has been approved for the construction of a new building at Vamadapadavu Govt Model Higher Primary School, providing better learning facilities for students in the area, he said."The utilisation of this substantial amount of funding will transform the face of govt schools, bringing a new ray of hope to the rural educational sector. Such partnerships with industrial organisations will be a boon for govt school students," said Bhandary.