CTE building in Mannur lying idle; locals demand renovation

Deccan Herald

3 days ago

Belagavi: The building constructed for the College of Teachers Education (CTE) on the premises of the District Institute of Education and Training (DIET) in Mannur village of Belagavi taluk has remained unused for years since its construction. This has raised concerns among locals and education experts, as the structure is now dilapidated and has become a hub for anti-social activities.The Karnataka government had allotted 10 acres of land in Mannur village with the vision of providing both Diploma in Education (DEd.) and Bachelor of Education (BEd) courses at a single location. While the DIET building, built on five acres, is operational and being effectively utilised, the adjoining CTE facilities on the remaining five acres remain unoccupied.Illicit activitiesAccording to residents, miscreants have been using the abandoned buildings for illicit activities after dark. Discarded liquor bottles and sachets scattered around the premises point to the misuse of the space. Locals have urged the government to renovate the buildings, complete the pending construction, and repurpose the space for educational purposes, such as establishing a government residential school, high school, or even an additional BEd college.DIET was relocated to the Mannur site from Belagavi City in 1994-95 and now operates from a well-equipped facility. However, the CTE continues to function from its aging and leaking building in Kakatives in the City. The monsoon season further disrupts academic activities due to the deteriorating condition of the infrastructure.Poor bus connectivityCTE Principal N Sreekant noted that around 200 students are currently pursuing the BEd programme, 90% of whom are women. Although a hostel is available near the city-based campus, poor bus connectivity between Belagavi and Mannur has made relocation unfeasible. He also emphasised that running two CTEs in the same city may not be viable, suggesting instead that a different course be introduced in the Mannur facility.Education experts argue that there is a growing demand for BEd courses, and the lack of sufficient intake is preventing many aspirants from pursuing the degree. If additional BEd classes or institutions were started in Mannur, it would open up opportunities for more students.DIET Principal Basavaraj Nalatwad supported the idea of utilising the vacant CTE buildings for educational purposes, stating that the DIET building is being fully utilised and extending educational activities into the unused space would be beneficial.Retired CTE principal M M Sindhur highlighted that the incomplete construction of the Mannur CTE building has hindered relocation. He reiterated the need to finish the remaining work and recommended that a government high school or residential school be established in the space.Karnataka Border Areas Development Authority Member Ashok Chandargi also voiced concern. He pointed out the lack of Kannada medium high schools in nearby villages like Hindalga and Sulga, which forces students to travel to the City. He suggested that the Mannur facility be considered for setting up a Kannada medium high school or residential school to support rural children.